Indian cultural influence in Southeast Asia evolved over centuries through peaceful processes of trade, religion, migration, and intellectual exchange, rather than military expansion. This interaction led to the Indianisation of Southeast Asia, producing enduring civilisational linkages visible in religion, polity, art, language, and social institutions.
Channels of Cultural Transmission:
- Maritime Trade Networks: Indian merchants used Bay of Bengal – Straits of Malacca routes from the early centuries CE, facilitating not just trade but cultural diffusion. Ports became centres of settlement, temples, and learning.
- Migration and Settlements: Indian traders, Brahmanas, monks, and artisans settled in Southeast Asia, forming cultural elites that advised local rulers.
- Religion and Philosophy:
- Hinduism (Shaivism, Vaishnavism) spread through royal patronage.
- Buddhism spread via missionaries (e.g., Ashokan missions to Myanmar).
- Concept of Dharma, Karma, and Kingship influenced state formation.
Political and Dynastic Influence:
- Kamboja (Cambodia):
- Founded in the 6th century CE.
- Shaiva rulers patronised Sanskrit learning and temple culture.
- Angkor Wat temple of 12th century depicts Ramayana and Mahabharata scenes.
- Champa (Vietnam):
- Hindu rulers promoted Shaivism and Vaishnavism.
- Became a centre for Vedic and Dharmashastra learning.
- Indonesia (Srivijaya & later kingdoms):
- Yupa inscriptions of King Mulavarman show Vedic rituals and Brahmanical influence.
Language and Literature:
- Sanskrit emerged as the language of administration and inscriptions.
- Indian epics were adapted locally which can be seen in Ramayana becoming Reamker (Cambodia), Ramakien (Thailand), Kakawin Ramayana (Indonesia).
- Indic concepts shaped legal and moral systems.
Art and Architecture:
- Temple architecture in South-East Asia was inspired by Gupta – Pallava – Chola styles.
- Indian iconography of Shiva, Vishnu, Buddha widely adopted. Examples Prambanan and Borobudur (Indonesia), and My Son temples (Vietnam).
Continuity into the Medieval Period:
- Indian settlements and cultural exchanges continued till the 13th century CE.
- Chola naval expeditions under Rajendra Chola I strengthened Saiva Siddhanta influence.
- Cultural links survived political change, showing deep-rooted assimilation.
Conclusion:
The spread of Indian culture in Southeast Asia was a dialogic and adaptive process, not a one-way imposition. Indian ideas blended with local traditions to create distinct Southeast Asian identities. India’s civilisational diplomacy under the Act East Policy, further reaffirms India’s role as a cultural bridge across Asia.
‘+1’ Value Additions:
- Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious monument and originally dedicated to Vishnu.
- Over 1,000 Sanskrit inscriptions found across Cambodia and Indonesia.
- ASI–MEA restorations: My Son (Vietnam), Vat Phou (Laos), Ta Prohm (Cambodia).
- Veal Kantel inscription (Cambodia) mentions recitation of Ramayana and Puranas.
- Devanika inscription (Laos) refers to Kurukshetra as Dharmakshetra outside India.
- India shaped Southeast Asia not by the sword, but by scripture, sea routes, and shared civilisation.
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