Ancient Indian Colonization in South-East Asia c11.58

c11.58

Is it conceivable that such a state of things would have followed if the great art of Java was due in any special measure to the local genius of the people? For the local people continued, as before, under the Muslim regime. The only factor that was wanting is the perennial source of supply from India which had dried up, and the absence of that Hindu culture which inspired the developments in art and other aspects of civilization. This one fact alone is sufficient to indicate the vitally important part played by the Hindus in the development of culture and civilization in South-east Asia.