Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia lies between the Indian and Pacific oceans and stretches from Asia almost to Australia. It’s includes the Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, and the Philippines.
The climate in southeast Asia is warm, humid with the heavy seasonal rains. The seas and straits separate the islands of southeast asia, which is a perfect place for trade. The political power in southeast asia often has been control of trade routes and harbors. This is because southeast asia lies on the most direct sea route between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea.
India merchant ships, taking advantage of the monsoon wind, began arriving in Southeast Asia. They spread Buddhism faiths to the region. Therefore, this early Indian influence in southeast asia is evident today in the region’s religions, languages and art forms. Through migration and trade, Chinese idea and culture spread southward in the region. At different times, the chinese also exerted political influence over parts of Southeast Asia.
Influence of India and China
Khmer Empire
Geography
The Khmer had conquered neighboring kingdoms and created an empire by 800s. The main reason that Khmer Empire so success was the cultivation of rice. The Kher built elaborate irrigation system and waterways, making it possible to grow three three or four crops of rice a year.This condition ensures the population.
Khmer rulers built extensive city and temple complexes at the capital city, Angkor. The Khmer also under the influence of india. The Angkor Wat was built as a symbolic mountain dedicated to the HIndu god Vishnu, it is one of the world’s greatest architectural achievements. The Khmer also used it as an observatory.
Sailendra
Sailendra ruled an agricultural kingdom in the island of Java. The Sailendra kings also built the world’s great architectural, the Buddhist temple at Borobudur. This temple also reflects strong Indian influence.
Srivijaya
Sailendra Dynasty fell under the domination of Srivijaya Empire. Srivijaya grew wealthy by the trade that passed through the water. Their capital, Palmbang, on Sumatra, becoming a great center of Buddhist learning, where Chinese monks could study instead of traveling to India.
Dai Viet
Vietnamese were the people least influenced by India . Around 100 BC.The vietnam fell under Chinese domination. when Tang Dynasty weakened in the early A.D 900s. Vietnam established their own kingdom, known as Dai Viet. Vietnamese preserved a strong spirit of independence and kept their own cultural identity, even they absorbed many Chinese Cultural influences.
Rulers of the Ly Dynasty located their capital at Hanoi, they established a strong central government, encouraged agriculture and trade, and greatly improved road and river transportation. The changes make they became more successful.
