This article belongs to the lore of Melayukan.

Dalam Malam

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Depiction of the orange-sailed imperial ships arriving at Rumabar

Dalam Malam, literally "in the night" also known as the Great Betrayal, was a shift in Daratanayah's <imperial> policy towards central Terangau in which the <imperial court> demanded tribute and, after a protracted diplomatic struggle, ultimately brought about the series of conflicts known as the Panjang Sedih. Prior to this shift, Maharajas treated Tanakiri as a part of their realm, but considered the various city-states of central Terangau to be independent, inferior rulers. The Terangauni states often acted in collaboration with the <imperial court> by managing trade, fulfilling occasional ceremonial roles in the Maharajas' world system, and most importantly by systemically suppressing key members of the Kancilrayaan nobility from who the Maharajas' withdrew protection. Within the <imperial court>, this policy was called Vāmaka because the ostensibly independent Terangauni acted as the essential "left hand" of the Maharaja.

Background

The Vāmaka system had it's origins in the Beautification movement in Daratanayah during which some Ramatr used Terangauni intermediaries to avoid direct conflict with their neighbors or employed them as mercenaries.

Interior Crisis

The Interior Crisis was a long process of impoverishment of the homelands of the imperial clans due to a shift in population and economic production further east. Without a solid grasp on the interior, many nobles found themselves embroiled in minor conflicts and border disputes. These conflicts not only carried an economic burden, but greatly impacted the prestige of those involved during the Beautification. As the warfare worsened, the central government and imperial court became more militarized and aggressive with their neighbors.

Diplomatic disputes

As central powers in Daratanayah became more hostile to their neighbors, the quasi-independence of central Terangau became a liability for coastal elites.

Conflict

Formal hostilities began in <x year> when Maharaja <name> rejected a symbolic tribute from the Kingdom of Pingiran and called upon the Tanakiri nobles, previously a demilitarized territory, to enlist an army to seize the city of Laudiajar.