SEJARAH KERAJAAN SRIWIJAYA. Dari Berdirinya Hingga Keruntuhannya

Summary

The Sriwijaya Kingdom, a dominant maritime power in Southeast Asia, flourished between the 7th and 10th centuries. Centered in Palembang, it controlled vital trade routes across Sumatra, Java, the Malay Peninsula, and beyond. The kingdom's name, meaning 'glorious victory,' reflects its prosperity, largely driven by its strategic position along trade routes. Sriwijaya's decline in the 11th and 12th centuries, caused by foreign invasions and economic shifts, led to its eventual fall in the 13th century. Notable for its cultural and religious influence, especially in Mahayana Buddhism, Sriwijaya left behind invaluable historical records like inscriptions and foreign accounts.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Sriwijaya Kingdom was a powerful maritime empire in Southeast Asia, controlling significant trade routes during its peak.
• 😀 The name 'Sriwijaya' is derived from two Sanskrit words: 'Sri', meaning glorious or prosperous, and 'Wijaya', meaning victory.
• 😀 Sriwijaya controlled a vast area, including Sumatra, Java, the Malay Peninsula, parts of Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
• 😀 The kingdom's prosperity was largely due to its dominance in maritime trade and its control over crucial straits like the Strait of Malacca and the Sunda Strait.
• 😀 Sriwijaya is believed to have been founded in the 7th century, with the first known ruler being Dapunta Hiyang, as indicated by historical records and inscriptions.
• 😀 The kingdom reached its peak in the 9th and 10th centuries, when it became a major player in regional trade, collecting taxes from ships passing through its territory.
• 😀 The decline of Sriwijaya began in the 11th century, after facing attacks from the Chola dynasty of South India, leading to the loss of territory and military strength.
• 😀 The kingdom's weakening economy and the rise of local powers like Dharmasraya and Singosari also contributed to its fall.
• 😀 Sriwijaya's cultural and religious influence was significant, especially as a center for Mahayana Buddhism in Southeast Asia.
• 😀 The kingdom's rulers were known to have supported the spread of Buddhism, with figures like the monk I-Sing passing through Sriwijaya on their way to India.
• 😀 The Sriwijaya Kingdom ultimately fell in the 13th century, overtaken by the Majapahit Empire.

Q & A

What was the main strength of the Sriwijaya Kingdom?

The main strength of the Sriwijaya Kingdom was its maritime power, which enabled it to dominate maritime trade routes and control significant regions across Southeast Asia, including Sumatra, Java, and the Malay Peninsula.

What does the name 'Sriwijaya' mean?

'Sriwijaya' is derived from two Sanskrit words: 'Sri' meaning 'glory' or 'splendor,' and 'Wijaya' meaning 'victory.' Therefore, 'Sriwijaya' means 'glorious victory.'

When was the Sriwijaya Kingdom first recorded in historical sources?

The earliest historical record of the Sriwijaya Kingdom comes from a Chinese source in 682 AD, where a Chinese monk named I-Sing stopped at Sriwijaya on his way to India to study Buddhism.

What significant event marked the peak of Sriwijaya's power?

Sriwijaya reached its peak during the 8th to 10th centuries AD, controlling major maritime trade routes and establishing dominance in Southeast Asia.

What regions did Sriwijaya dominate through colonization?

Sriwijaya expanded its influence across Southeast Asia, including regions such as Sumatra, Java, the Malay Peninsula, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

How did Sriwijaya accumulate wealth?

Sriwijaya accumulated wealth through its control over key trade routes, charging taxes on ships passing through, and managing important ports and trade warehouses that facilitated trade with China and India.

What led to the decline of the Sriwijaya Kingdom?

The decline of Sriwijaya was caused by several factors, including attacks by the Chola Empire in 1025 AD, the weakening of its military power, the loss of control over strategic trade regions, and the rise of rival kingdoms such as Singosari and Dharmasraya.

How did the rise of other kingdoms affect Sriwijaya?

The emergence of stronger regional kingdoms, like Dharmasraya and Singosari, contributed to the weakening and eventual collapse of Sriwijaya, as these kingdoms gained control over previously held territories.

What evidence exists to confirm the existence of the Sriwijaya Kingdom?

Evidence of the Sriwijaya Kingdom includes foreign historical records (like those from China and Arabia), as well as inscriptions and prasastis (stone tablets) found across Southeast Asia, such as the Kedukan Bukit inscription and the Talang Tuo inscription.

What role did Sriwijaya play in the spread of Buddhism in Southeast Asia?

Sriwijaya became a major center for Mahayana Buddhism, attracting monks and pilgrims from India and China. It played a crucial role in the spread and development of Buddhism in Southeast Asia.