Shrivijaya
Also called: Srivijaya empire · Topic: Southern Dynasties: Chalukyas, Pallavas, Cholas · NCERT: Class 7, Ch 4 "Turning Tides: The 11th and 12th Centuries"
Meaning
Shrivijaya (Srivijaya) was a Buddhist kingdom that grew rich from sea trade. It was based in Sumatra (Indonesia) and held parts of the Malay peninsula, from about the 7th to the 13th century. It controlled the Strait of Malacca, the narrow sea route between India and China. Whoever held this strait could tax or block ships on the China trade.
Example
Around 1025, the navy of Rajendra Chola I attacked Shrivijaya and captured its capital. Many Indian merchant guilds backed the attack. The Cholas did not stay to rule the land. It was a punitive expedition, meaning a raid to punish the enemy and protect Chola trade, not to take over territory. At other times, ties were friendly. A Shrivijaya ruler built a Buddhist monastery at Nagapattinam with Rajaraja Chola's help. Another Shrivijaya ruler got land from a Pala king for a monastery at Nalanda.
Don't confuse with
- Khmer kingdom (Cambodia): built Angkor Wat under Suryavarman II in the 12th century. It was a different Southeast Asian state and was not the target of Rajendra's raid.
Related concepts
- Rajaraja Chola I
- Brihadishvara temple
- Larger Leiden plates
- Chudamani Vihara
- Rajendra Chola I
- Gangaikondacholapuram
- Chola naval expedition to Shrivijaya
- Kulottunga I