Ancient Indian Colonization in South-East Asia c9.3

c9.3

The oldest of these is Śrī-Vijaya whose capital city, bearing the same name, is usually located in Palembang in South-east Sumatra, though this view has not found general acceptance. As noted in a preceding lecture, it is probable that this kingdom already existed in the fourth century A.D., but we do not know any details of this early period. It is only towards the close of the seventh century A.D. that Śrī-Vijaya comes into prominence. We learn a great deal of this country from the Chinese pilgrim I-tsing who spent a few years in this region and wrote an interesting account of it some time between 689 and 692 A.D. He tells us that the king of Śrī-Vijaya as well as the rulers of the neighbouring States were patrons of Buddhism, and Śrī-Vijaya was a great centre of Buddhist learning. We are further told that Śrī-Vijaya was a centre of trade and possessed ships sailing to India. There was also a regular navigation between Śrī-Vijaya and China.