The Srivijaya Empire - The Kingdom Of Srivijaya

The Srivijaya Empire - The Kingdom Of Srivijaya

Posted By Drs. Mutawalli, M.Pd.I.

The Srivijaya Empire

The Srivijaya Empire

Posted By Drs. Mutawalli,M.Pd.I

The western portion of the Second Srivijaya Empire

Caricatures of the Southern Alliance had been circulating and they were called the “Second Srivijaya Empire” in reference to the predecessor to most of those nations. The Alliance was not managed by a leadership structure and operated with the consent and acceptance of the individual governments. It was not an Empire but this characterization led to changes in the public discourse of the alliance. The Kings and other leaders of the nations were calling for a stronger government to manage their vast amount of affairs and to show the rest of the world that their nations were not to be discounted from the political stage. These feelings of nationalism when combined with the desire for unity and power made the nations for what they named the Second Srivijaya Empire. This nation, formed in 1363 (610 AD) under the leadership of Emperor Phaektra of the Khmer Kingdom, demanded

The Eastern Portion of the Second Srivijaya Empire

that their portion of the new world colony be separated from the Sinica portion to the south. They demanded independence that the Sinicans were reluctant to grant but did so anyway. The Eunuchs and the leaders of Sinica bustled together to put their secret plans into action and were intending to be ruthless in their execution.

The Eunuchs

The Eunuchs originally intended to use the allies to the south to mount another Sino-Japanese war and they would get the Japanese to capitulate their mainland territories or their colonies. The Japanese and the Sinican colony had grown to clash with each other in small areas but never on a full scale. With the growth of nationalism for the Second Srivijaya the eunuchs decided that their best position would be to give in to the small demands of their allies in order to pursue their larger goals and expect that the allied nations would support the war effort. The Sinicans moved into Hainan in 1365 (612 AD) and this was the start of the War.

The Fourth Sino-Japanese WarEdit

The Battle for Hainan which began in 1365 (612 AD) was intended to secure an early victory and morale booster for the troops of Sinica. Moving into the island from the southern shore, under the leadership of one of the highest

Siege in Hainan during the Fourth Sino-Japanese War

eunuchs, was a new tactic unexpected by the Japanese on the island. That being said the fortifications on that island were more than impressive. They seemed nearly impregnable. Since the Japanese had gained it they had built shelters for the residents and walls and barracks around the island.Regiments quickly move to the area of battle but were surprised at a new invention that the Sinicans had made. They had combined the missile and the grenade into the rudimentary rocket propelled grenade. It was not as powerful as OTL conceptions but it was impressive in fighting against the high walls of Hainan. Within less than two weeks the Sinicans took Hainan and with that they could mount a much more successful campaign through Asia. The Sinicans quickly regained their losses in the south western coast and reversed the large gains made by Japan after the Third Sino-Japanese War. The Second Srivijaya were now faced with a decision to side with the SInicans or the Japanese. The clear choice of the Emperor elected after the reunification of he south east Asian nations was to Sinica but he had fallen ill and died childless in the year 1368 (615 AD) son after the gains of Sinica had been fortified in a new treaty with the Japanese.

The War of Srivijayan Succession

Sinica, Japan, and the Srivijaya Empire were once again the largest powers in Asia. With the rivalry between the Sinicans and the Japanese reignited by the Fourth Sino-Japanese War the Srivijaya were left in the position to

A depiction of the amount of force the Srivijaya were expecting.

found an alliance with either power and thus determine the fate of Asia. The Srivijaya had long been partners of Sinica but with recent tensions they began to reconsider whether the partnership was truly fair. The Srivijaya had decided to hold elections for the new Emperor but the problem with this was that each candidate had different opinions on how to proceed. The Srivijaya had remained neutral for five years from 1368-1373 (615-620 AD) but the Sinicans and Japanese were tired of placating either side with gifts or offers and it became clear that neither side could gain a clear victory through elections. The democratic process broke down in the Second Srivijaya Empire and the two sides used the wealth of their respective allied constituencies to raise an army. The powers also solicited aid from the Sinican and the Japanese Empires but the results of their intervention were completely unintended.

The Divide

King Bisaya

The Japanese, having a strong and well-founded Alliance with the Kingdom of Sulawesi near the center of the Second Srivijaya Empire, used this Kingdom as a base to split the two sides of the War of Succession. The Japanese Ally, King Bisaya of Borneo, was pushing to become Emperor with the support of the smaller islands. Borneo had always been a religious Kingdom and remained the only area in Asia with a majority Thenmobist population, the religion of the first Srivijaya Empire. King Bisaya had the support of the smaller and less developed regions of the Empire. Out in the Lapita Admiraty, the Commonwealth Republic of Vanuatu, The Motu Kingdom and the Tanimbar Kingdom the other candidate was seen as an aristocrat. King Trieu Minh Vuong of the United Kingdom of Lao-Cham was very fond of the SInicans and had developed a very Sinican looking system of government. The nobility of his kingdom as well as the Thai Kingdom, Khmer Kingdom and Java Republic became very aristocratic and opposed to the issues of the farmers throughout their own kingdoms. This divide was very exploitative for the Japanese and Borneo already had at least half of the Srivijaya Empire protected by the Japanese Navy.

King Trieu Minh Vuong

The Sinicans, who were now only ostensibly led by the Empress Wenxian 文獻 but actually led by her eunuch advisers, in support of King Trieu Minh Vuong planned to move into the Borneo Kingdom and attack their opponent directly but were surprised when they needed to fight the Japanese once again. Because of this it is often disputed whether the War of Srivijaya Succession was separate or part of the Fourth Sino-Japanese War.

The Battle of Java

Java was one of the larger islands of the Second Srivijaya Empire and the Japanese supported King Bisaya was moving in from the southern tip of the island with reinforcements of Japanese ships behind him. In less than three months more than half of the island was under the control of Bisaya. Within less than 2 weeks the Japanese forces and King Bisaya had taken the island of Java.

The Khmer-Sinica Campaign

The Khmer Kingdom remained the most populous part of the Second Srivijaya Empire and following the loss of Java, the Khmer began using this strength. The Khmer had often been an ennobled people. They reluctantly joined the second Empire but knew they could thrive alone and separate. The Khmer were a large part of the new world colony and fought for independence so they would dominate that area rather than Sinica. The Khmer knew the same would be the fate of the Srivijaya Empire, no matter what the outcome, allowing them to force whichever outcome they wanted. Already having a group of treaties giving the Khmer the power they wanted from Sinica, the Khmer mobilized their powerful armies alongside Sinica to take back the new Empire.

A relief of the War of Srivijayan Succession

The Khmer and Sinicans had another benefit coming to them as they moved against Bisaya and the Japanese forces. The Japanese military leaders and the leaders under King Bisaya bickered constantly about how to proceed after the capture of Java. Th Japanese, who became very indignant during these arguments, often said that King Bisaya would be nothing without the Japanese and that they demanded his full yield if he wanted Japanese assistance. The southeast Asian leadership would reply that this was their land and that they knew the area better than the Japanese and that if the Japanese wanted an ally in this region then they ought to treat them with respect. The Japanese sometimes joked that it would be easier to just conquer these islands outright and this caused more than a few examples of tension between the soldiers of Japan and King Bisaya. The Japanese leaders knew better and never expressed these opinions openly but be that s it may the two armies were stuck on the island of Java until a strategy could be worked out.

This delay gave the Khmer and the SInicans the best possible chance to regain a foothold in this area. The Khmer worked out their policy and the SInicans would pursue a separate one as well as reinforce the Khmer. The Khmer would move into Java from the south, the least defended portion of the island. The Sinicans would move around into the island of Borneo and attempt to set up a fort of some kind there so that they could attack Bisaya himself. The Sinicans feared that if they killed Bisaya before attacking the Japanese and making some victory then the Japanese would find some other leader to take his place. Despite this the Sinicans and Khmer continued.

The Battle of Borneo and the End of the War

The Sinicans moved onto Borneo where the intended to take as many of the large coastal cities until they found King Bisaya. The southern cities of Banjarmasin, Pontianak, and Balikpapan fell first but all sources pointed to the

Cities of Borneo

northern cities. By the end of 1376 (623 AD) the Sinicans had taken Tawau, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and the largest city in Borneo, Sarawak. By the time Sarawak had been taken the Bisaya supporters were believed to have fled to the Philippines. The Japanese Navy believed that the war was now too expensive to purse. Despite their capitulation, the resulting treaty provided that the new Srivijaya give no trade restrictions to Japanese businesses. This provision would prove crucial in the years to come.

First posted on January 10th 2010, last revised on May 11th 2010
Drs.H.Mutawalli,M.Pd.I

Srivijaya was a Malay thalassocracy centered on Palembang (Sumatra), existing from the 7th to the 13th century. Historical evidence is scanty, consisting of a number of inscriptions, a few reports by mostly Chinese visitors, archaeological evidence. It is believed that Madagascar was settled by Sumatrans before the arrival of Indian religions on Sumatra. Srivijaya expanded, annexing Melayu (Jambi) c.680, taking control of the Malacca Straits. A Chinese visitor around that time describes Palembang as a center of Buddhist learning. Srivijaya at its climax controlled Sumatra, Western Java, the western and northern coast of Borneo and the Malay Peninsula. In the Malay Archipelago it had a rival in Sailendra, another thalassocracy centered on Central Java, and after the latter's fall in 852, in the Kingdom of Mataram, also centered on Central Java. When the Sailendra Dynasty was ousted from Java in 852, they moved to Palembang and took over the rule of Srivijaya. By 1200 Srivijaya was still a major regional power, but the center had moved from Palembang to Jambi. In the course of the 13th century Srivijaya disintegrated. The Kingdom of Palembang continued to be identified with the name of Srivijaya; its territory was limited to southeastern Sumatra without Lampung (to Pajajaran). In the north it bordered on Jambi. In 1290 it was conquered by Singhasari. Jambi, Palembang, Pajajaran and Malacca may be regarded successor states of Srivijaya, indirectly also Brunei and the Sultanates of North Sumatra such as Aceh. Alternative spellings : Crivijaya, Sriwijaya, Shrivijaya

Srivijaya

Posted By Drs. Mutawalli, M.Pd.I

"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

Srivijayan inscription uses an Indian alphabet and Sanskrit words.^[1] Only 5 inscriptions have been found so far.

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.

Srivijaya Kingdom

Srivijaya Kingdom

Posted by Drs. Mutawalli,M.Pd.I

Srivijaya or Sriwijaya was an ancient Hindu kingdom on the island of Sumatra Southeast Asia which influenced much of the Malay Archipelago. 'Sri'is a Sanskrit title of verenation and vijaya means victory. The current Malay population of today is in much denial about Srivijaya's Hindu and Indian roots. The very name of the empire is Indian. Indian language, art,archietecture, religion and cuisine were all absorbed by the locals. Before the arrival of Indians, the natives of the Malay Peninsula had no language or culture. In fact it was Indians who taught them to eat with their fingers and communicate with a proper language. Which today has evolved into Malay.

After Srivijaya fell, it was largely forgotten and so historians had never considered that a large united kingdom could have been present in Southeast Asia. The existence of Srivijaya was only formally suspected in 1918 when French historian George Coedès of the École française d'Extrême-Orient postulated the existence of the empire. Around 1992 and 1993, Pierre-Yves Manguin proved that the centre of Srivijaya was along the Musi River between Bukit Seguntang and Sabokingking (situated in what is now the province of South Sumatra, Indonesia).

Golden Age of Srivijaya

After trade disruption at Canton between 820 and 850, the ruler of Jambi was able to assert enough independence to send missions to China in 853 and 871. Jambi's independence coincided with the troubled time when the Sailendran Balaputradewa, expelled from Java, seized the throne of Srivijaya. The new maharaja was able to dispatch a tributary mission to China by 902. Only two years later, the expiring Tang Dynasty conferred a title on a Srivijayan envoy.

In the first half of the tenth century, between the fall of Tang and the rise of Song, there was brisk trade between the overseas world and the Fujian kingdom of Min and the rich Guangdong kingdom of Nan Han. Srivijaya undoubtedly benefited from this, in anticipation of the prosperity it was to enjoy under the early Song. Circa 903, the Muslim writer Ibn Rustah was so impressed with the wealth of Srivijaya's ruler that he declared one would not hear of a king who was richer, stronger or with more revenue. The main urban centres were at Palembang (especially the Bukit Seguntang area), Muara Jambi and Kedah.

Decline Period of Srivijaya

In 1025, Rajendra Chola, the Chola king from Coromandel in South India, conquered Kedah from Srivijaya and occupied it for some time. The Cholas continued a series of raids and conquests throughout what is now Indonesia and Malaysia for the next 20 years. Although the Chola invasion was ultimately unsuccessful, it gravely weakened the Srivijayan hegemony and enabled the formation of regional kingdoms based, like Kediri, on intensive agriculture rather than coastal and long-distance trade.
Srivijaya's Empire and its neighbors in 900 AD.

Between 1079 and 1088, Chinese records show that Srivijaya sent ambassadors from Jambi and Palembang. In 1079 in particular, an ambassador from Jambi and Palembang each visited China. Jambi sent two more ambassadors to China in 1082 and 1088.[17] This suggests that the centre of Srivijaya frequently shifted between the two major cities during that period.[17] The Chola expedition as well as changing trade routes weakened Palembang, allowing Jambi to take the leadership of Srivijaya from the 11th century on.

According to a Chinese source in the book of Chu-fan-chi[19] written around 1178, Chou-Ju-Kua describe that in Southeast Asia archipelago there was two most powerful and richest kingdoms; Srivijaya and Java (Kediri). In Java he founds that the people adhere two kinds of religions: Buddhism and the religions of Brahmins (Hinduism), while the people of Srivijaya adhere Buddhism. The people of Java are brave and short tempered, dare to put a fight. Their favourite pastimes was cockfighting and pig fighting. The currency was made from the mixture of copper, silver, and tin.
Srivijaya Empire and Kediri around 12th to early 13th century AD.

The book of Chu-fan-chi mentioned that Java was ruled by a maharaja, that rules several colonies: Pai-hua-yuan (Pacitan), Ma-tung (Medang), Ta-pen (Tumapel), Hi-ning (Dieng), Jung-ya-lu (Hujung Galuh), Tung-ki (Jenggi, west Papua [disambiguation needed]), Ta-kang (Sumba), Huang-ma-chu (Southwest Papua), Ma-li (Bali), Kulun (Gurun, identified as Gorong or Sorong in Papua or an island in Nusa Tenggara), Tan-jung-wu-lo (Tanjungpura in Borneo), Ti-wu (Timor), Pingya-i (Banggai in Sulawesi), and Wu-nu-ku (Maluku).

About Srivijaya, Chou-Ju-Kua reported that Kien-pi (Kampe, in northern Sumatra) with armed forced rebellion has liberated themselves from Srivijaya, thus has coronated their own king. The same fate goes to some Srivijaya's colonies at Malay Peninsula that liberated themselves from Srivijaya domination. However Srivijaya still the mightiest and wealthiest state in western part of archipelago. Srivijaya's colony are: Pong-fong (Pahang), Tong-ya-nong (Trengganu), Ling-ya-ssi-kia (Langkasuka), Kilan-tan (Kelantan), Fo-lo-an , Ji-lo-t'ing (Jelutong), Ts'ien-mai , Pa-t'a (Batak), Tan-ma-ling (Tambralingga, Ligor), Kia-lo-hi (Grahi, northern part of Malay peninsula), Pa-lin-fong (Palembang), Sin-t'o (Sunda), Lan-wu-li (Lamuri at Aceh), and Si-lan (Sailan?). According to this source in early 13th century Srivijaya still ruled Sumatra, Malay peninsula, and western Java (Sunda). About Sunda, the book describe it further that the port of Sunda (Sunda Kelapa) is really good and strategic, pepper from Sunda is among the best quality. People work on agriculture and their house are build on wooden piles (rumah panggung). However the country was invested by robbers and thieves. In sum, this Chinese source from early 13th century suggested that the Indonesian archipelago was ruled by two great kingdoms, western part was under Srivijaya's rule, while eastern part was under Kediri domination.

In 1288, Singhasari, the successor of Kediri in Java, conquered Palembang, Jambi as well as much of Srivijaya during the Pamalayu expedition.

In the year 1293, Majapahit ruled much of Sumatra as the successor of Singhasari. Prince Adityawarman was given responsibilities over Sumatra in 1347 by Hayam Wuruk, the fourth king of Majapahit. The rebellion in 1377 was squashed by Majapahit but it left the area of southern Sumatra in chaos and desolation.

In the following years, sedimentation on the Musi river estuary cut the kingdom's capital off from direct sea access. The strategic disadvantage crippled the trade in the Kingdom's capital. As the decline continued, Islam made its way to the Aceh region of Sumatra, spreading through contacts with Arab and Indian traders. By the late 13th century, the kingdom of Pasai in northern Sumatra converted to Islam. At the same time, Srivijaya was briefly a tributary state of the Khmer empire and later the Sukhothai kingdom. The last inscription, on which a crown prince, Ananggavarman, son of Adityawarman, is mentioned, dates from 1374.

By 1402 Parameswara (the great-great-grandson of Raden Wijaya, the first king of Majapahit), the last prince of Srivijaya founded the Sultanate of Malacca on the Malay Peninsula.

Srivijaya's Relics

The Kingdom of Srivijaya

The Kingdom of Srivijaya
Posted By Drs. Mutawalli, M.Pd.I

Srivijaya (200s-1400) was an ancient Hindu-Buddhist Kingdom on the island of Sumatra which influenced much of the Malay Archipelago. Records of its beginning are scarce while estimations range from the 200s to the 500s. The kingdom ceased to exist around 1400. In Sanskrit, sri means 'shining' or 'radiant' and vijaya means victory or excellence.

Formation and growth

Around year 500, Srivijayan roots begun to develop around present-day Palembang, Sumatra in Indonesia. Chinese records dated 600 mention two Sumatran kingdoms based in Jambi and Palembang as well as three other kingdoms on Java.

Srivijaya was a coastal trading center and was a thalassocracy. As such, it did not extend its influence far beyond the coastal areas of the islands of Southeast Asia. The empire was organised in three main zones — the estuarine capital region centred on Palembang, the Musi River basin which served as hinterland and rival estuarine areas capable of forming rival power centres. The capital was administered directly by the ruler while the hinterland remained under its own local datus or chiefs who were organized into a network of allegiance to the Srivijaya maharaja or king. Force was the dominant element in the empire's relations with rival river systems such as the Batang Hari which centered in Jambi. The ruling lineage intermarried with the Sailendras of Central Java.

Srivijaya remained a formidable sea power until the thirteenth century.

Vajrayana Buddhism

A stronghold of Vajrayana Buddhism, Srivijaya attracted pilgrims and scholars from other parts of Asia. These included the Chinese monk Yijing, who made several lengthy visits to Sumatra on his way to study at Nalanda in India in 671 and 695, and the eleventh-century Buddhist scholar Atisha, who played a major role in the development of Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet. Travellers to these islands mentioned that gold coinage was in use on the coasts, but not inland.

Relationship with regional powers

Although historical records and archaeological evidence are scarce, it appears that by the seventh century, Srivijaya established suzerainty over large areas of Sumatra, western Java and much of the Malay Peninsula. Dominating the Malacca and Sunda straits, Srivijaya controlled both the spice route traffic and local trade, charging a toll on passing ships. Serving as an entrepôt for Chinese, Malay, and Indian markets, the port of Palembang, accessible from the coast by way of a river, accumulated great wealth.

The Jambi kingdom was the first rival power centre absorbed into the empire, starting the domination of the region through trade and conquest in the 7th and 9th centuries. Srivijaya helped spread the Malay culture throughout Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula, and western Borneo. Srivijaya influence waned in the 11th century. The island was in frequent conflict with, and ultimately subjugated by, from Javanese kingdoms, first Singhasari and then Majapahit.

Some historians claim that Chaiya in the Surat Thani province in Southern Thailand was at least temporarily the capital of Srivijaya but this claim is largely disputed. However, Chaiya was probably a regional center of the kingdom. The temple Borom That in Chaiya contains a reconstructed pagoda in Srivijaya style. The Khmer kingdom may also had been a tributary in its early stages. They also maintained close relations with the Pala Empire in Bengal and an inscription that dates 860 records that the maharaja of Srivijaya dedicated a monastery at the Nalanda university in Pala territory. Relations with the Chola dynasty of south India were initially friendly but it deteriorated into actual warfare in the eleventh century.

Golden age

After trade disruption at Canton between 820 to 850, the ruler of Jambi was able to assert enough independence to send missions to China in 853 and 871. Jambi's independence coincided with the troubled time when the Sailendran Balaputra, expelled from Java, seized the throne of Srivijaya. The new maharaja was able to despatch a tributary mission to China by 902. Only two years later, the expiring Tang dynasty conferred a title on a Srivijayan envoy.

In the first half of the tenth century, between the fall of Tang and the rise of Song, there was brisk trade between the overseas world and the Fujian kingdom of Min and the rich Guangdong kingdom of Nan Han. Srivijaya undoubtedly benefited from this, preparatory to the prosperity it was to enjoy under the early Song. Circa 903, Muslim writer Ibn Rustah was so impressed with the wealth of Srivijaya's ruler that he declared one would not hear of a king who was richer, stronger or with more revenue.

Decline

In 1068, Virarajendra, the Chola king of Coromandel, conquered Kedah from Srivijaya. The Cholas continued a series of raids and conquests throughout what is now Indonesia and Malaysia for the next 20 years. Although the Chola invasion was ultimately unsuccessful, it gravely weakened the Srivijayan hegemony and enabled the formation of regional kingdoms based, like Kediri, on intensive agriculture rather than coastal and long distance trade

Islam made its way to the Aceh region of Sumatra, spreading through contacts with Arabs and Indian traders. By the late 13th century, the kingdom of Pasai in northern Sumatra converted to Islam. At the same time, Srivijaya was briefly a tributary of the Khmer empire and later the Sukhothai kingdom. The last inscription dates to 1374, in a crown prince, Ananggavarman, is mentioned.

By 1402 Parameswara, the last prince of Srivijaya founded the Sultanate of Malacca on the Malay peninsula. He converted to Islam in 1414.

The name of the empire was rediscovered by George Coedës in the 1920s, who noticed that the Chinese references to Sanfoqi, previously read as as Sribhoja and the inscriptions in Old Malay refer to the same empire.

The Srivijaya Of Kingdom

Srivijaya Kingdom

Posted By Drs.Mutawalli,M.Pd.I

Srivijaya is one powerful maritime kingdom on the island of Sumatra and much influence in the archipelago with the territory stretching from Cambodia, Thailand, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi . In Sanskrit, Sri Means "shining" and wijaya means "victory". Initial evidence of the existence of this kingdom from the 7th century; a minister of China, I-sing, writes that he visited Srivijaya in 671 and stayed for 6 months. Next oldest inscriptions of Srivijaya also in the 7th century was Kedukan Bukit inscription in Palembang, 682 AD. Srivijaya influence the decline of the area began to shrink due to subordinate some of the battle such an attack from the king of Java (990 AD), and in 1025 the attack of the Coromandel Coladewa Rajendra, 1183 next year under the control of the kingdom of Srivijaya Dharmasraya. And at the end of the period, the kingdom was subdued under the Majapahit kingdom.

After Srivijaya fell, the kingdom is forgotten and historians do not know the existence of this kingdom. Srivijaya existence is officially known in 1918 by the French historian George Coedes of the École française d'Extreme-Orient. Around the year 1992 to 1993, Pierre-Yves Manguin proved that the center of Srivijaya in the Musi River between Bukit Seguntang and Sabokingking (located in South Sumatra province, Indonesia).

Histiografi

There is no further record of Srivijaya in the history of Indonesia; the forgotten past was re-established by a foreign scholar. No modern Indonesian people who heard about Srivijaya until the 1920s, when French scholar George Coedes publish his findings in the Dutch language newspaper, and Indonesia. Coedes China stated that the reference to "San-fo-ts'i", previously read "Sribhoja", and some inscriptions in the ancient Malays refer to the same empire. Srivijaya became a symbol of the greatness of early Sumatra, and the kingdom of Majapahit in the archipelago except East Java. In the 20th century, the kingdom has become a reference by the nationalists to show that Indonesia is a unit of Dutch colonialism before. Srivijaya called by various names. People call Tionghoa Shih-li-fo-shih, or San-fo-Fo ts'i or San Qi. In Sanskrit and Pali, the kingdom of Srivijaya called Yavadesh and Javadeh. Arabs call call Zabag Malay and Khmer. The number of names is another reason why Srivijaya was difficult to find.

Here are some of the known historical sources related to Srivijaya: Inscription relating to the Srivijaya

- Inscription Ligor in Thailand

- Inscription of Canton in Canton

- Inscription Siwagraha

- Inscription Nalanda in India

- Charter of Leiden in India

- Inscription Tanjor

- Inscription Grahi

- Inscription Padang Roco

- Inscription Sri Lanka

Sources China news

- Annals of the Tang Dynasty

- Chronicle of the Sung Dynasty

- Chronicle of the Ming Dynasty

- Chronicle Travel I Tsing

- Chronic Chu-fan-chi by Chau Ju-kua

- Chronic Tao Chih Wang Lio by Yan Ta

- Chronic Ling-wai Tai-ta by Chou Ku Fei

- Chronic Ying-yai Sheng-lan by Ma Huan

Ancient language inscriptions Melayu

- Inscription Kedukan Hill on June 16, 682 AD in Palembang

- Talang Tuo Inscription March 23 684 AD in Palembang

- Telaga Batu inscription to the 7th century AD in Palembang

- Inscription Palas Pasemah 7th century AD in South Lampung

- Inscription Rock Brahi the 7th century AD in Jambi

- Kota Kapur Inscription February 28, 686 AD at P. Bangka

- Inscription Sojomerto the 7th century AD in the district of Batang, Central Java

Not much physical evidence of Srivijaya which can be found. Srivijaya Empire has been around since 671 in accordance with the note on I-sing.

The kingdom was a center of trade and the maritime countries. This country does not extend his power outside the Southeast Asian archipelago, with the exception of Madagascar contributed to the population as far as 3300 miles to the west. Around the year 500, the root of Srivijaya began to develop in the region around Palembang, Sumatra. This kingdom consists of three main zones - the mouth of the centered capital Palembang, Musi River valley that serves as a support area and estuary areas that could rival a rival power center. Musi river upstream region rich in various precious commodity for traders of China Capital ruled directly by the authorities, while local supporters remain governed by the ruler (progenitor) local.

From the inscription Kedukan Bukit 682 in the year under the leadership of Dapunta Hyang Jayanasa, Kingdom Minanga surrenders under Srivijaya Empire. Control of the gold-rich Malay has increased the prestige of the kingdom. In the 7th century, the Tionghoa noted that there are two kingdoms in Sumatra and the Malay kingdom of Kedah and three in Java to be part of Srivijaya Empire. In the late 8th century, several kingdoms in Java, among others Holing Tarumanegara are under the control of Srivijaya. According to records, at this time also-Buddhist dynasty Sailendra Malays migrated to Central Java and ruled there. Based on the inscription Lime City, empire controlled the southern part of Sumatra to Lampung, controlling the trade in the Strait of Malacca, South China Sea, Java Sea, and Strait Karimata. In this century too, Langkasuka Malays in the peninsula became part of the kingdom. In the next period, and Trambralinga Pan Pan, which lies north of Langkasuka, and also under the influence of Srivijaya.

Expansion of this empire to Java and the Malay Peninsula, Srivijaya controlled two make a major trade center in Southeast Asia. Based on observation, it’s found in the ruins of the temples Srivijaya in Thailand and Cambodia. In the 7th century, Cham port east of Indochina began to shift many traders from Srivijaya. To prevent this, Maharaja Dharmasetu launched several attacks on coastal cities in Indochina. Indrapura town on the banks of the Mekong River, in the early 8th century is under the control of Srivijaya. Srivijaya continued its domination of Cambodia, until the Khmer King Jayawarman II, founder of the Khmer empire, broke with the kingdom in the same century.

After Dharmasetu, Samaratungga be the successor kingdoms. He ruled during the period 792 to 835. Unlike the expansionist Dharmasetu, Samaratungga no military expansion, but rather chose to strengthen the control of Srivijaya in Java. During his tenure, he built the Borobudur temple in Central Java that was completed in the year 825. In the 9th century, the area includes Sumatran Srivijaya Empire, Sri Lanka, Malay Peninsula, Western Java, Sulawesi, Maluku, Kalimantan, and the Philippines. With such control, the kingdom of Srivijaya became a great maritime empire until the 13th century.

Vajrayana Buddhism

As a Vajrayana Buddhist teaching center, Srivijaya attracted pilgrims and scholars from countries in Asia. Among other priests from China I-sing, who visited Sumatra on his way to study at Nalanda University, India, in the year 671 and 695, and in the 11th century, Atisha, a Buddhist scholar from Bengal who played in the development of Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet. I-sing reported that Srivijaya became home to thousands of Buddhist scholars to become Buddhist learning center. Visitors who came to this island states that gold coins have been used in the coastal empire. Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism also developed in the Kingdom.

Relations With Regional Powers

From historical records and archaeological evidence, stated that in the 9th century Srivijaya had made colonization of almost all the kingdoms of Southeast Asia, among others: Sumatra, Java, Malaya Peninsula, Cambodia and South Vietnam. Domination of the Straits of Malacca and Sunda straits, Srivijaya as a controller to make the trade routes of spices and local commerce charge for every ship that passed. Srivijaya accumulate wealth as a trading port and warehouse market serving China, and India.

Minanga is the first power of Srivijaya competitors can finally conquered in the 7th century. Melayu Kingdom has gold mining as an economic resource and the word Swarnnadwipa (island of gold) may refer to this case. And then Kedah is also subject and subordinate to the region.

In the early days, the Khmer empire was also a colony of Srivijaya. Many historians claim that Chaiya, Surat Thani province, southern Thailand, as the last capital of the kingdom, Srivijaya influence apparent on building the pagoda-style Borom That Kingdom. After the fall of Srivijaya, Chaiya is divided into three cities namely (Mueang) Chaiya, Thatong (Kanchanadit), and Khirirat Nikhom.

Srivijaya also closely related to the Pala kingdom in Bengal, and a numbered plaque notes that 860 kings Balaputra a monastery dedicated to the University Nalada, Pala. Relations with the Chola dynasty of southern India quite well and then become worse after Rajendra Coladewa ascended the throne and an attack on the 11th century.

Golden Age

In the year 902, Srivijaya sent tribute to China. Two years later, the last king of the Tang Dynasty conferred the title of the messenger of Srivijaya. China envoy from the literature that has this Arabic name given the information that in those days was related to Srivijaya Arab allow Srivijaya had entered the Islamic influence in the kingdom.

In the first half of the 10th century, between the fall of the Tang dynasty and the rise of the Song dynasty, with foreign trade is rampant, especially Fujian, Min royal and the rich countries of Guangdong, the kingdom of Nan Han. Srivijaya undoubtedly benefited from this trade. In the year 903, the Muslim writer Ibn Battuta was impressed with the prosperity of Srivijaya. Urban areas include the kingdom of Palembang (especially Hill Seguntang), Muara Jambi and Kedah.

The decline

Year 1025, Rajendra Coladewa, Chola king from Coromandel, southern India, conquered Kedah and takes it away from Srivijaya. Then the kingdom of Chola and successful assault continued subjugation of Srivijaya, during the next decades all over the empire under the influence of Srivijaya Coladewa Rajendra. Nevertheless Coladewa Rajendra still provides opportunities to the kings of the conquered to remain in power for still subject to him. After the invasion, eventually resulted in the weakening of the hegemony of Srivijaya, and then some areas to form the kingdom of his own subordinates, and then appeared Dharmasraya Kingdom, as a new force and later annexed the region and the Malay Peninsula, including Srivijaya sumatera itself.

Between the years 1079 - 1088, the Tionghoa was noted that San-fo-ts'i sends envoys from Jambi and Palembang. Years 1082 and 1088, Jambi sent more than two ambassadors to China.

Based on the source of China in the book of Chu-fan-chi which was written in 1178, Chou-Ju-Kua describe that in the islands of Southeast Asia there are two powerful kingdoms and rich, the San-fo-ts'i and Cho - po (Java). In Java, he found that people embraced Buddhism and Hinduism, while the people of San-fo-ts'i embraced Buddhism, and has 15 regional reports covering; Pong-fong (Pahang), Tong-ya-nong (Terengganu), Ling - ya-si-kia (Langkasuka), Kilantan (Kelantan), Fo-lo-an (Dungun river mouth area now Terengganu), Ji-lo-t'ing (Cherating, east coast Malay Peninsula), Ts'ien-mai ( Semawe, east coast Malay Peninsula), Pa-t'a (Paka River, east coast Malay Peninsula), Tan-ma-ling (Tambralingga, Ligor, southern Thailand), Kia-lo-hi (Grahi, now Chaiya, southern Thailand ), Pa-lin-fong (Palembang), Kien-pi (Jambi), Sin-t'o (Sunda), Lan-wu-li (Lamuri in Aceh), and Si-lan (Cambodia).

In the year 1275, Singhasari, successor to the kingdom of Kediri in Java, to expand and conquer the Bhumi Malayu known as Pamalayu expedition. And then in 1293, appeared as a substitute Singhasari Majapahit, and after Tribhuwana Wijayatunggadewi Queen ascended the throne, giving responsibility to Adityawarman, a Peranakan Malays and Javanese, to re-conquer Swarnnabhumi in 1339. And the name of Srivijaya period has not called again but has been replaced with the name of this Palembang in accordance with the outlines Pararaton Linguistic Theories of Gajah Mada.

In the Song Pamacangah Babad Arya Tabanan and is also called 'Arya Damar' as a regent of Palembang who have contributed to help Gajah Mada in conquered Bali in 1343, Prof.. C.C. Berg considered synonymous with Adityawarman.

Trade

In world trade, Srivijaya became the controlling trade routes between India and China, namely the possession of the straits of Malacca and Sunda straits. Noted that the Arabs have a variety of Srivijaya commodities like camphor, aloes wood, clove, nutmeg, cardamom, ivory, gold, and tin that make rich Srivijaya kings of kings in India. This abundant wealth has made it possible to buy the loyalty of Srivijaya vassal throughout Southeast Asia.

Cultural Influences

Srivijaya kingdom heavily influenced Indian culture, first by Hindu culture and then followed by Buddhism. Buddhism was introduced in Srivijaya in the year 425 AD. Srivijaya is the most important center of Mahayana Buddhism. Srivijaya kings over the archipelago through trade and conquest from the period of the 7th century until the 9th century. Thus directly participate in developing Nusantara Melayu culture.

Influence of Islam

Is very possible that the Srivijaya known as a center of Buddhism greatly influenced by Muslim visitors, so this kingdom will be embryo-Islamic kingdoms in Sumatra one day, while weakening Kingdom.

Suspected because of the influence of Arab Muslims are much visited in the Srivijaya, Srivijaya king named Sri Indrawarman converted to Islam in the year 718. So it is possible the social life of Srivijaya is a social community in which the Buddhist and Muslim communities as well. Recorded several times Srivijaya king sent a letter to the caliph of Islam in Syria. Even misuse is a manuscript letter addressed to the Caliph Umar bin Abdul Aziz (717-720M) with a request to the Deputy willing to send preachers to the palace of Srivijaya.

Srivijaya empire in the 12th century

The Kingdom Of Srivijaya

The Kingdom Of Srivijaya

Posted By Drs.H.Mutawalli,M.Pdi

Srivijaya (200s-1400) was an ancient Hindu-Buddhist Kingdom on the island of Sumatra which influenced much of the Malay Archipelago. Records of its beginning are scarce while estimations range from the 200s to the 500s. The kingdom ceased to exist around 1400. In Sanskrit, sri means 'shining' or 'radiant' and vijaya means victory or excellence.

Formation and growth

Around year 500, Srivijayan roots begun to develop around present-day Palembang, Sumatra in Indonesia. Chinese records dated 600 mention two Sumatran kingdoms based in Jambi and Palembang as well as three other kingdoms on Java.

Srivijaya was a coastal trading center and was a thalassocracy. As such, it did not extend its influence far beyond the coastal areas of the islands of Southeast Asia. The empire was organised in three main zones — the estuarine capital region centred on Palembang, the Musi River basin which served as hinterland and rival estuarine areas capable of forming rival power centres. The capital was administered directly by the ruler while the hinterland remained under its own local datus or chiefs who were organized into a network of allegiance to the Srivijaya maharaja or king. Force was the dominant element in the empire's relations with rival river systems such as the Batang Hari which centered in Jambi. The ruling lineage intermarried with the Sailendras of Central Java.

Srivijaya remained a formidable sea power until the thirteenth century.

Vajrayana Buddhism

A stronghold of Vajrayana Buddhism, Srivijaya attracted pilgrims and scholars from other parts of Asia. These included the Chinese monk Yijing, who made several lengthy visits to Sumatra on his way to study at Nalanda in India in 671 and 695, and the eleventh-century Buddhist scholar Atisha, who played a major role in the development of Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet. Travellers to these islands mentioned that gold coinage was in use on the coasts, but not inland.

Relationship with regional powers

Although historical records and archaeological evidence are scarce, it appears that by the seventh century, Srivijaya established suzerainty over large areas of Sumatra, western Java and much of the Malay Peninsula. Dominating the Malacca and Sunda straits, Srivijaya controlled both the spice route traffic and local trade, charging a toll on passing ships. Serving as an entrepôt for Chinese, Malay, and Indian markets, the port of Palembang, accessible from the coast by way of a river, accumulated great wealth.

The Jambi kingdom was the first rival power centre absorbed into the empire, starting the domination of the region through trade and conquest in the 7th and 9th centuries. Srivijaya helped spread the Malay culture throughout Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula, and western Borneo. Srivijaya influence waned in the 11th century. The island was in frequent conflict with, and ultimately subjugated by, from Javanese kingdoms, first Singhasari and then Majapahit.

Some historians claim that Chaiya in the Surat Thani province in Southern Thailand was at least temporarily the capital of Srivijaya but this claim is largely disputed. However, Chaiya was probably a regional center of the kingdom. The temple Borom That in Chaiya contains a reconstructed pagoda in Srivijaya style. The Khmer kingdom may also had been a tributary in its early stages. They also maintained close relations with the Pala Empire in Bengal and an inscription that dates 860 records that the maharaja of Srivijaya dedicated a monastery at the Nalanda university in Pala territory. Relations with the Chola dynasty of south India were initially friendly but it deteriorated into actual warfare in the eleventh century.

Golden age

After trade disruption at Canton between 820 to 850, the ruler of Jambi was able to assert enough independence to send missions to China in 853 and 871. Jambi's independence coincided with the troubled time when the Sailendran Balaputra, expelled from Java, seized the throne of Srivijaya. The new maharaja was able to despatch a tributary mission to China by 902. Only two years later, the expiring Tang dynasty conferred a title on a Srivijayan envoy.

In the first half of the tenth century, between the fall of Tang and the rise of Song, there was brisk trade between the overseas world and the Fujian kingdom of Min and the rich Guangdong kingdom of Nan Han. Srivijaya undoubtedly benefited from this, preparatory to the prosperity it was to enjoy under the early Song. Circa 903, Muslim writer Ibn Rustah was so impressed with the wealth of Srivijaya's ruler that he declared one would not hear of a king who was richer, stronger or with more revenue.

Decline

In 1068, Virarajendra, the Chola king of Coromandel, conquered Kedah from Srivijaya. The Cholas continued a series of raids and conquests throughout what is now Indonesia and Malaysia for the next 20 years. Although the Chola invasion was ultimately unsuccessful, it gravely weakened the Srivijayan hegemony and enabled the formation of regional kingdoms based, like Kediri, on intensive agriculture rather than coastal and long distance trade

Islam made its way to the Aceh region of Sumatra, spreading through contacts with Arabs and Indian traders. By the late 13th century, the kingdom of Pasai in northern Sumatra converted to Islam. At the same time, Srivijaya was briefly a tributary of the Khmer empire and later the Sukhothai kingdom. The last inscription dates to 1374, in a crown prince, Ananggavarman, is mentioned.

By 1402 Parameswara, the last prince of Srivijaya founded the Sultanate of Malacca on the Malay peninsula. He converted to Islam in 1414.

The name of the empire was rediscovered by George Coedës in the 1920s, who noticed that the Chinese references to Sanfoqi, previously read as as Sribhoja and the inscriptions in Old Malay refer to the same empire.

Srivijaya Empire

Srivijaya Empire 683 to 1288

Posted By Drs.H.Mutawalli,M.pdi

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Overview
Srivijaya or Sriwijaya was a powerful ancient Malay kingdom on the island of Sumatra, modern day Indonesia, which influenced much of Southeast Asia. The earliest solid proof of its existence dates from the 7th century; a Chinese monk, I-Tsing, wrote that he visited Srivijaya in 671 for 6 months. The first inscription in which the name Srivijaya appears also dates from the 7th century, namely the Kedukan Bukit Inscription around Palembang in Sumatra, dated 683. The kingdom ceased to exist in the 13th century due to various factors, including the expansion of the Javanese Majapahit empire. Srivijaya was an important center for Buddhist expansion in the 8th to 12th centuries. In Sanskrit, sri means "shining" or "radiant" and vijaya means "victory" or "excellence".
Key Facts
Empire	Srivijaya Empire
Origin	Indonesia
Year (at peak size)	1200
Time Period	683-1288
Duration	605 years
Reason for End	Conquest
Capital	Palembang, Jambi, Chaiya
Continents Spanned	Asia Compare Empires in Asia
Size (Square Kilometers)	1,200,000
Size (Square Miles)	463,322
Founder	Dapunta Hyang Çri Yacanac
Government Type	Authoritarian
Leaders of Empire	Dapunta Hyang Sri Jayanasa (683), Indravarman (702), Rudra vikraman (728), Dharmasetu (790), Dharanindra (775), Samaragrawira (782), Samaratungga (792), Balaputradewa (835), Çri Udayadityavarman (960), Haji Hia-Tche (980), Sri Culamanivarmadeva (988), Sri Maravijayottungga (1008), Sumatrabhumi (1017), Sangramavijayottungga (1025), Sri Deva (1028), Kulothunga Chola I (1078), Rajaraja Chola II (1156), Srimat Trailokyaraja Maulibhusana Warmadewa (1183), Srimat Tribhuwanaraja Mauli Warmadewa (1286)
Peak Leader	Srimat Trailokyaraja Maulibhusana

The Srivijaya Empire

The Srivijaya Empire (L'Uniona Homanus)

Posted By Drs.H.Mutawalli,M.Pdi

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श्रीविजय साम्राज्य
The Srivijaya Empire
Timeline: L'Uniona Homanus
OTL equivalent: Southeast Asia and Indonesian Islands

Flag Coat of Arms The Srivijaya at their greatest extent in Blue.
Capital and Largest City:	Thenmobang (Padang)
Language: official:	Sanskrit
others:	Khmer dialect as well as minority indigenous languages
Religion:	Thenmobism
Demonym:	Srivijayan
Type of government:	Monarchy
government:	Maharajah (High King)
Area:	4,856,434 km2
Established:	677 (76 BC)

The Foundation of the Srivijaya EmpireEdit

The Srivijaya started as a project by the Japanese Emperor Koizumi to attack the Sinicans from another angle on the Asian Continent. The Srivijaya Founders were a mix of Buddhists who were thrown out of the Maurya Empire in India under the leadership of a man named Thenmobala, who then established the splinter religion of Thenmobism, as well as immigrants from the Cambodia region of South East Asia, who then became the ethnic majority in the country and from where the name Khmer originates. The Thenmobis religion became a guiding principle that led to the conquest of a part of Sumatra before the Japanese intervened. The imperial vision that the Khmer leaders was only achieved with the weapons and strategy of the Japanese and if it was not provided then their aspirations would likely have been set back many decades or centuries perhaps. In 677 (76 BC) the first maharajah was declared and he set out to take the islands of Indonesia, the taking of the sparsely inhabited, though Sinican dominated, Southeast Asian Peninsula also provided many aspects of respect and diplomacy with the Mainland countries. The Srivijaya had a small war with the Japanese to take the islands of the Phillipines but the end of the conflict concluded with the largest island of Luzon going to the Japanese and the remaining smaller islands left to the Japanese. The Srivijaya name comes from the Sanskrit, ancient language of Buddhists, words 'Sri' meaning 'radiant' and 'vijaya' meaning 'victory'.

Maharajahs of the Srivijaya EmpireEdit

Jayanasa 678-693 (75-60 BC)

Srivatsav 693-701 (60-52 BC)

Balaputra 701-735 (52-18 BC)

Balaputra II 735-752 (18-1 BC)

Girindra 752-769 (1 BC- 16 AD)

Mandakranta 769-786 (16-33 AD)

Neelanchal 786-799 (33-46 AD)

Girindra II 799-811 (46-58 AD)

Balaputra III 811-829 (58-76 AD)

Privrata 829-842 (76-89 AD)

Balaputra IV 842-857 (89-104 AD)

Girindra III 857-866 (104-113 AD)

Balaputra V 866-878 (113-125 AD)

Trishanku 878-885 (125-132 AD)

Balaputra VI 885-915 (132-162 AD) Killed by Jayavarman, King of the Khmer. Last Maharajah

The Kingdom of Srivijaya

The Kingdom of Srivijaya

Associated to Place: AncientWorlds > The Orient > Indonesia > articles -- by * Ai Jimmu (6 Articles), Historical Article

Srivijaya was a maritime kingdom of Sumatra that existed from circa 500 CE until the late 1300's

Posted by Drs.H.Mutawalli,M.Pdi

The Kingdom of Srivijaya

On the Indonesian island of Sumatra, directly to the west of the city of Palembang, are ruins and artifacts that appear to date back to the Kingdom of Srivijaya. Indications are strong that the Palembang region of south Sumatra formed the heartland of the kingdom.

Srivijaya (Sri Vijaya) as a kingdom developed around 500 CE, although it possibly had roots going back as far as 200 CE. In Chinese contemporary writings, the kingdom is referred to as Sribhoja. "Jaya" as a root means "excellence". Srivijaya influence waned in the 11th century. Sumatra was then subject to conquests from Javanese kingdoms: the Singhasari and then the Majapahit. The last vestiges of Srivijaya as a national entity were gone by 1400. Through much of its history, the kingdom was a group of coastal and maritime entities, under the control of the seat at Palembang, similar to Phoenicia in its heyday.

Religion of the kingdom was initially Indic, then Hindu, then, circa 425, Buddhism arrived. By the late 13th century, Islam became the domininant religion.

Most records of its history are foreign, although from the period 682-686 CE, internal records in Old Malay have been recovered. These stone inscriptions are the oldest extant instances of Malay writing. This was a tulmultuous time; many of those writings concerned loyalty, and loyalty oaths, and campaigns against other kingdoms.

The teachings of the Tantric school of Mahayana Buddhism heavily influenced governance at that time. From language used in the inscriptions, archaeologists conclude that this religion fit in well with the previous indigenous spiritual/magical ways. This school of Buddhism reached India and Sumatra at about the same time (600's), which also indicates a vibrant and active trade route. Indeed, the earliest influences on language and culture were from India.

One of the surviving texts indicates that the ruler considered himself a bodhisattva, on the path to becoming Buddha -- the earliest recorded instance in this part of the world that temporal rulers were also responsible as religious rulers.

Srivijaya controlled the Strait of Malacca, and expanded into the mainland of Indochina, where the city of Chaiya (Surat Thani province in Southern Thailand) was probably at the very least a regional capital. The image here is of a pagoda found in Chaiya, done in Srivijaya style. The kingdom at its greatest also covered Sumatra, Malay Peninsula, and western Borneo. Circa 600 CE, the Chinese record two kingdoms on Sumatra (Srivijaya and Melayu), and three on Java. In 683, Srivijaya conquered Melayu, and during this time, the kingdom began its campaign against the kingdoms of Java, eventually conquering these, too.

Circa 700, it had also conquered Kedah, on the Malay peninsula.

Most of the information we have about the early days of Srivijaya is due to the writings of Yì Jìng (aka I-Ching, 635 - 713). He was a Buddhist monk of the Tang Dynasty who travelled to various countries collecting Buddhist texts written in Sanskrit. In 711, he visited Palembang, and was assisted by the ruler of Srivijaya. From the 7th century on, Srivijaya was an important trading partner with China. China sent ambassadors dating back as far as the 400's. While specific information remains scant, Arabs and Persians knew about the Srivijaya trading empire, and there are even indications that Greeks and Romans were aware of secondhand or tertiary reports.

In 990, Mataram, located in eastern Java and ruled by King Dharmavamsa , tried to take over Srivijaya, but failed. In 992, King Chulamanivarmadeva of Srivijaya asked for Chinese protection from Mataram. In 1006, Srivijaya attacked and captured Mataram; razing its palace, and killing its king and many others, although a 15 year old boy, Airlangga, managed to flee.

In 1017, Rajendra Chola, king of Coromandel in India, attacked Srivijaya, but failed to take it over. Circa 1019, the heir to Mataram, Airlangga, created a new kingdom in eastern Java, Kahuripan, and also made peace with Srivijaya. He was noted for religious tolerance, bringing both Hindu and Buddhist together. Airlangga spent much of his youth as an ascetic.

By 1025, Rajendra Chola was strong enough to capture the Malay peninsula from Srivijaya, and hold it for twenty years. He continued to press against the island of Sumatra. During this time, Kahuripan saw more and more trade, as it became more unsafe due to conflict near Sumatra.

Airlangga married the daughter of Sangrama Vijayottungavarman, King of Srivijaya, in 1030. Evidently a fascinating man, Airlangga finally divided Kahuripan into two kingdoms in 1045, for his two sons, and abdicated to return to the life of an ascetic, living four more years. No word about his wife.

In 1068, the king of Coromandel, conquered Kedah from Srivijaya. More Chola raids occurred on Sumatra. Jambi became independent by circa 1225. By about 1280, the Thai kingdom of Sukhotai began to take the parts of the Malay peninsula that had belonged to Srivijaya. In 1290, King Kertanegara of the Javanese Singhasari took control of the Melayu kingdom on Sumatra around Jambi, and also unified Java under his leadership.

In 1292, Java and Sumatra were visited by that intrepid traveller, Marco Polo.

In the 1300's, Majapahit exerted a strong influence on the Palembang region of Sumatra, but did not fully control it. In 1377, Majapahit sent its navy against Palembang, a remnant of Srivijaya. The King of Palembang sent a courier to China, offering his kingdom to the emperor in exchange for protection. The Emperor of China accepted the offer, and sent officials in return, but by the time the officials got to Palembang, it had already been conquered, and they were executed.

Sources:

Srivijaya at Wikipedia

Malay kingdom of Srivijaya Palembang

A History of the Malay Penninsula

An Online Timeline of Indonesian History