Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champa; Vol. II: Suvarnadvipa) v2.c14.t4.99
Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champā; Vol. II: Suvarṇadvīpa) v2.c14.t4.99
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v2.c14.t4.99
We have seen above how Islam had obtained a footing in the northern coast of Sumatra and the kingdom of Malacca, and how from these centres it gradually spread all over Malayasia. The new faith also penetrated into Java, following mainly the line of trade and commerce. The accounts of the Chinese traveller Ma Huan (1416 A. D.) clearly indicate that while the Muhammadans formed an important colony in Java, mainly composed of foreign traders, permanently settled there, they had not as yet acquired any political power in the country.¹