AMSCO 1.3 Developments in South and Southeast Asia

📍Topic 1.3 Developments in South and Southeast Asia

📖 AMSCO p.23 - p.29

Main Idea

Key Timeline

Image Courtesy of Riya Patel

Things to Know

Political Structures in South Asia

• South Asia rarely experienced unity as a single state, with intermittent periods of disunity after the collapse of the Gupta Dynasty in 550.
• Hinduism provided cultural unity despite separate political structures in northern and southern India.
• Chola Dynasty (850-1267) ruled southern India, followed by the Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1646).
• Vijayanagara Empire was founded by Harihara and Bukka, who converted from Islam to Hinduism, later overthrown by Muslim kingdoms.

Political Structures in Northern India

• Northern India saw political upheaval with the rise of Rajput kingdoms after the fall of the Gupta Empire.
• Lack of centralized government among Rajput kingdoms made them vulnerable to Muslim invasions.
• Islamic presence in northern India increased through invasions, temple plundering, and the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate in the early 13th century.

Religion in South Asia

• Hinduism and Buddhism were dominant religions before Islam's arrival.
• Islam introduced a monotheistic perspective, disapproval of visual representations, and emphasis on equality.
• Islam's entry into India led to a dynamic interaction between Hindus and Muslims, influencing cultural and political developments.

The Arrival of Islam

• Islam initially entered India forcefully but adopted a more peaceful approach later.
• Conversion to Islam was mostly voluntary, with many Muslim merchants marrying locals and converting them.
• Buddhism saw significant conversions to Islam due to corruption among monks and Muslim raids on monasteries.

Cultural Interactions in South Asia

• South Asia and the Middle East exchanged intellectual and cultural achievements.
• Arab astronomers and mathematicians built upon Indian knowledge, leading to the development of "Arabic numerals."
• Islamic architecture in India fused Hindu art with Islamic patterns, exemplified by the Qutub Minar in Delhi.
• Urdu, a new language, emerged in South Asia as a blend of Hindi, Arabic, and Persian.

The Bhakti Movement

• Bhakti Movement, starting in the 12th century, emphasized emotion and attachment to a deity.
• Similar to Sufi Muslims, both Bhaktis and Sufis focused on mystical movements and inner reflection.
• The movement appealed to women and those of low social status, contributing to the spread of Hinduism.

Southeast Asia

• Indian influence on Southeast Asia dates back to 500, with trade introducing Hinduism and Buddhism.
• Srivijaya Empire (670-1025) and Majapahit Kingdom (1293-1520) controlled sea routes, with Srivijaya being Hindu and Majapahit Buddhist.
• Sinhala Dynasties in Sri Lanka and the Khmer Empire in Cambodia drew power from land-based control.
• Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat in Cambodia demonstrate the influence of both Hinduism and Buddhism in Southeast Asia.

Islam in Southeast Asia

• Islam spread to Southeast Asia through local merchants and later Islamic traders.
• Sufis played a role in missionary work, displaying tolerance for local faiths and facilitating conversions.
• Islam became prominent in urban areas, with Indonesia having the highest Muslim population today.

Terms to Remember