'Srivijaya' comes from 'Sri' which is a honorific term for a place name, similar to 'Sri Lanka' and 'Vijaya' means 'Victory'.
The Srivijaya Empire was strong as a maritime and commercial kingdom in the Malay Archipelago. The expansion of the Kingdom began and continued from the 7th to the 13th century. Originally, it began from Palembang of Sumatra and eventually expanded and took control of the surrounding area near the strait of Malacca. Controlling the Straits of Malacca and the Sunda Strait gave Srivijaya control of the spice trade. Because of its smart relationships with major trading countries and its way of controlling the only shortcuts around the Malay Archipelago, Srivijaya dominated the area in terms of wealth and power.
Did you know???
Srivijaya was the center of trade for both India and China, the two dominant traders of the era.
The power of the kingdom came mostly from its trade (states of the archipelago, China, and India). Other than the center of trade, Srivijaya was also the religious center of South-East Asia at that time. The main religion was Mahayana Buddhism; in fact, many pilgrims stopped here on their journey to India.
In its continual growth (up until the 11th century) it was able to take control of the majority of Java. But it came to lose control due to an Indian Kingdom called Chola, that found the Srivijaya kingdom troublesome for their trade in South and East Asia. Chola took over the city of Palembang in 1025, stealing its treasures as well as capturing the king and attacking other parts of this glorious kingdom.
Srivijaya lost all its glory by the end of the 12th century. It became a small empire and lost its place as the dominant powerhouse of the Melayu kingdom located in Jambi, a vassal of Java. Majapahit, which was another prominent kingdom in Java, took over the political scene of Indonesia.
Did you know???
Srivijaya was the center of trade for both India and China, the two dominant traders of the era.
The power of the kingdom came mostly from its trade (states of the archipelago, China, and India). Other than the center of trade, Srivijaya was also the religious center of South-East Asia at that time. The main religion was Mahayana Buddhism; in fact, many pilgrims stopped here on their journey to India.
In its continual growth (up until the 11th century) it was able to take control of the majority of Java. But it came to lose control due to an Indian Kingdom called Chola, that found the Srivijaya kingdom troublesome for their trade in South and East Asia. Chola took over the city of Palembang in 1025, stealing its treasures as well as capturing the king and attacking other parts of this glorious kingdom.
Srivijaya lost all its glory by the end of the 12th century. It became a small empire and lost its place as the dominant powerhouse of the Melayu kingdom located in Jambi, a vassal of Java. Majapahit, which was another prominent kingdom in Java, took over the political scene of Indonesia.
Maritime: To be connected with the sea. Especially with trade and military business
Archipelago: A group of islands
Strait: A narrow passage of water connecting two large areas of water.
Mahayana Buddhism: One of the two major traditions of Buddhism
Pilgrim: A person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons.
Vassal: A holder of land by feudal tenure on conditions of homage and allegiance.
Commercial: Profit oriented
Archipelago: A group of islands
Strait: A narrow passage of water connecting two large areas of water.
Mahayana Buddhism: One of the two major traditions of Buddhism
Pilgrim: A person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons.
Vassal: A holder of land by feudal tenure on conditions of homage and allegiance.
Commercial: Profit oriented
"The Kingdom of Srivijaya." The Kingdom of Srivijaya. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Sept. 2014. <http://www.ancientworlds.net/aw/Article/543335>.