Srivijaya: Map & History
Srivijaya, also spelled Sri Vijaya or Sriwijaya, was a Buddhist thalassocratic empire based on the island of Sumatra that influenced much of Southeast Asia.
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Srivijaya, also spelled Sri Vijaya or Sriwijaya, was a Buddhist thalassocratic empire based on the island of Sumatra that influenced much of Southeast Asia. Srivijaya was an important centre for the expansion of Buddhism from the 7th to 11th century. Srivijaya was the first polity to dominate much of western Maritime Southeast Asia. Its economy became progressively reliant on the booming trade in the region, thus transforming it into a prestige goods-based economy.
Modern Countries Once Part of Srivijaya
At its mapped extent, Srivijaya covered territory in 4 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
- Singapore1139–1293 CE · nearly all
- Malaysia692–1293 CE · most
- Thailand692–1138 CE · a small part
- Indonesia682–1293 CE · a small part
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Srivijaya's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Srivijaya in Depth
History
Around 500 AD, the roots of the Srivijayan empire began to develop around present-day Palembang, Sumatra. The Kedukan Bukit inscription (683)—considered to be the oldest inscription related to Srivijaya, discovered on the banks of the Tatang River near the Karanganyar site, states about the "glorious Srivijaya", a kadatuan (kingdom or polity) which was founded by Dapunta Hyang Sri Jayanasa and his retinue. He had embarked on a sacred siddhayatra journey and led 20,000 troops and 312 people in boats with 1,312 foot soldiers from Minanga Tamwan to Jambi and Palembang. Many of these armed forces gathered under Srivijayan rule would have been the sea people, referred to generally as the orang laut.
Government and economy
The 7th century Telaga Batu inscription, discovered in Sabokingking, Palembang, testifies to the complexity and stratified titles of the Srivijayan state officials. These titles are mentioned: rājaputra (princes, lit: sons of king), kumārāmātya (ministers), bhūpati (regional rulers), senāpati (generals), nāyaka (local community leaders), pratyaya (nobles), hāji pratyaya (lesser kings), dandanayaka (judges), tuhā an vatak (workers inspectors), vuruh (workers), addhyāksi nījavarna (lower supervisors), vāsīkarana (blacksmiths/weapon makers), cātabhata (soldiers), adhikarana (officials), kāyastha (store workers), sthāpaka (artisans), puhāvam (ship captains), vaniyāga (traders), marsī hāji (king's servants), hulun hāji (king's slaves).
Culture and society
Srivijaya-Palembang's significance both as a centre for trade and for the practice of Vajrayana Buddhism has been established by Arab and Chinese historical records over several centuries. Srivijaya' own historical documents, inscriptions in Old Malay, are limited to the second half of the 7th century. The inscriptions uncover the hierarchical leadership system, in which the king is served by many other high-status officials. A complex, stratified, cosmopolitan and prosperous society with their tastes in art, literature and culture, with complex set of rituals, influenced by Mahayana Buddhism; blossomed in ancient Srivijayan society. Their complex social order can be seen through studies on inscriptions, foreign accounts, and in bas-reliefs of temples from this period.
Legacy
Although Srivijaya left few archaeological remains and was almost forgotten in the collective memory of Maritime Southeast Asia, the rediscovery of this ancient maritime empire by Cœdès in the 1920s raised the notion that it was possible for a widespread political entity to have thrived in Southeast Asia in the past. Modern Indonesian historians have used Srivijaya as a frame of reference of how ancient globalisation, foreign relations and maritime trade, have shaped Asian civilisation. The royal style itself travelled.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Srivijaya (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Srivijaya: Key Facts
| Capital | Palembang |
|---|---|
| Religion | Mahāyāna |
| Form of government | monarchy |
| Founded | 650 CE |
| Dissolved | 1377 |
Succeeded by
- Kingdom of Palembang
- Kingdom of Singapura
Facts from Wikidata Q234197 (CC0).
Srivijaya Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Srivijaya appears, with the other states of the time.
Srivijaya Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 537,553 km² in 999 CE.
Srivijaya: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Srivijaya exist?
Srivijaya is dated to 674 CE – 1293 CE, in the Early Middle Ages era.
What was the capital of Srivijaya?
The capital of Srivijaya was Palembang.
How large was Srivijaya at its peak?
At its peak in 999 AD Srivijaya covered about 537,553 km².
How did the map of Srivijaya change over time?
Srivijaya appears on 5 dated world maps in the atlas, from 750 CE to 1200 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.
Other Sovereign Realms
High & Late Middle Ages • Capital: Avarga
Early Middle Ages • Capital: Constantinople
High & Late Middle Ages • Capital: Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram
High & Late Middle Ages • Capital: Niani, Kangaba