[lentulusgracchus]

I would theoretically say that India is the first grouping of South Asian nations ....

And therefore is still a Raj -- an Empire without the Empress of India and Defender of the Faith.

Which an enterprising enemy could attempt to screw with by fomenting internal regional and religious resentments, Hindu vs. Moslem, Hindu vs. Sikh, etc., etc.

[Cronos]

Well, no, and yes — it could be called a Raj, but more correctly is a confederation, like Switzerland. And yes, enemies have tried to screw with the Swiss too — the Zurich wars as an example.