Srivijaya
Posted By Drs. Mutawalli, M.Pd.I
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| "Srivijaya left only an insignificant number of monuments because its kings were busier watching over trade in the Straits than building temples or having their praises carved in stones." — George Coedes, in Srivijaya: History, Religion and Language of an early Malay polity |
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Srivijaya was a Mahayana Buddhist empire which existed for 700 years. Its capital was in Palembang, Sumatra. Ships from Arabia, Persia, and India, sailing into Southeast Asia to buy spices and rainforest produce, had to sail through the Srivijayan-controlled seas. Srivijaya kept its waters safe from pirates and soon, the kingdom became a wealthy maritime empire, ruling over all the coastal ports, towns, and villages on the Malay peninsula and Sumatra. Although it overlorded all the surrounding kingdoms, it too was overlorded by China. Srivijayan princes presented gifts of dwarfs, musicians, and multi-colored parrots to the Emperor of China who in return bestowed the King of Srivijaya with titles of honor.[2] Srivijayan kings bore the title "Sri Maharaja".
2. According to the Old Malay inscriptions, Srivijaya conquered Jambi and from then on, its power grew into a wealthy empire. Their court ceremonies, laws and religion of Srivijaya came from India.[3] It is therefore highly likely that Srivijaya rulers were Indians. Yet, Srivijaya is known as a Malay empire because many Malays in Malaysia are descended from Srivijayans.[3] Around the mid-9th century, perhaps through marriage or family ties, Srivijaya was ruled by Balaputradeva, a Sailendra king from Java. The traditions, customary laws, and language of the Malays can also be traced back to the Srivijaya Empire.[3] This culture continued in the Malay peninsula through the Melaka empire which passed the same traditions to the other Malay sultanates in the peninsula.[3] The Srivijayan empire was a Mahayanist Buddhist religious center, a religion that combined Buddhist and Hindu teachings. Its kings even built temples in India.[3]
3. Decline of Srivijaya: Srivijaya began to decline from the 11th century onwards, after its king, Sangrama Vijayottungavarman, was captured by the Chola Empire of southern India, following an attack. Combined with a lot less trade from China, Srivajaya was not as prosperous as before. Srivijaya also faced threats from both Siam to its north and Majapahit to its east. In 1275, the Majapahit king in Java launched an attack on Srivijaya and after a lengthy war, Srivijaya was defeatd. By the 14th century, Srivijaya had become a Majapahit vassal state.
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