SEA: Pre-colonial and colonial history Prof Amado Mendoza Jr Political Science June 2011

Elements of presentation Periodization of pre-modern SEA history Periodization of pre-modern SEA history Economic and political systems Economic and political systems Cultural influences Cultural influences State formation in pre-modern SEA State formation in pre-modern SEA

Periodization of SEA pre-modern history Prehistory Prehistory Emergence of ancient civilizations Emergence of ancient civilizations Indianized classical kingdoms Indianized classical kingdoms Early European colonialism Early European colonialism High Western imperialism High Western imperialism

SEA pre-history Human habitation in SEA is very ancient Human habitation in SEA is very ancient –Java man (homo erectus) –Homo sapiens resided in central Java & Borneo for at least 40,000 years

Hoabinhian stone age technocomplex

Bronze/iron age and settled agriculture Rice was domesticated probably years ago Rice was domesticated probably years ago SEAsians pioneered in cultivation of bananas, taro and yams/domesticated animals SEAsians pioneered in cultivation of bananas, taro and yams/domesticated animals Iron works as early as 500 BCE Iron works as early as 500 BCE Sophisticated sailing vessels Sophisticated sailing vessels

Ban Chiang, 3600 BCE

Emergence of ancient SEA civilizations Emergence of small states in mainland lowlands (Cambodia & Vietnam) based on irrigated rice culture (as of 500 BCE) Emergence of small states in mainland lowlands (Cambodia & Vietnam) based on irrigated rice culture (as of 500 BCE) Sophisticated civilizations on the littorals undertaking maritime trade and practicing animism Sophisticated civilizations on the littorals undertaking maritime trade and practicing animism

China and early SEA Han China colonized Vietnam since 2 nd century BCE for a millennium Han China colonized Vietnam since 2 nd century BCE for a millennium Chinese socio-cultural influence limited to Vietnam and small groups who migrated much later from China (e.g. Hmongs in the 18 th and 19 th centuries) despite trade activity Chinese socio-cultural influence limited to Vietnam and small groups who migrated much later from China (e.g. Hmongs in the 18 th and 19 th centuries) despite trade activity Politically, China received tribute from pre- colonial SEA states; concerned with security of southern borders; profitable trade led to desire for stability in Nanyang Politically, China received tribute from pre- colonial SEA states; concerned with security of southern borders; profitable trade led to desire for stability in Nanyang

‘Indianization’ and classical societies Itinerant Indian traders and priests married into/became advisers to influential families in mainland and island kingdoms Itinerant Indian traders and priests married into/became advisers to influential families in mainland and island kingdoms Fusion of Mahayana Buddhism and Hinduism influenced Indianization process; synthesized Indian with indigenous ideas Fusion of Mahayana Buddhism and Hinduism influenced Indianization process; synthesized Indian with indigenous ideas Gupta era ( CE): golden age of India; probably most advanced civilization in the world (science, technology and political organization Gupta era ( CE): golden age of India; probably most advanced civilization in the world (science, technology and political organization

Indianized SEA societies Mandala states (fluctuating zones of power emanating in concentric circles from a central court Mandala states (fluctuating zones of power emanating in concentric circles from a central court SEA elites embraced concept of god- kings (devaraja) and unequal social system where their positions are buttressed by religious sanction SEA elites embraced concept of god- kings (devaraja) and unequal social system where their positions are buttressed by religious sanction

Indianized SEA societies II Indian sculpture and architecture manifested in temples Indian sculpture and architecture manifested in temples Indian scripts (esp. Sanskrit) became basis for many written SEA languages (Khmer, Thai and Khmer) Indian scripts (esp. Sanskrit) became basis for many written SEA languages (Khmer, Thai and Khmer) Hindu epics (Ramayana) embedded in folk and elite culture despite continued animistic beliefs amongst peasantry Hindu epics (Ramayana) embedded in folk and elite culture despite continued animistic beliefs amongst peasantry

Political economy of Indianized societies Inland kingdoms based on agriculture (e.g. Khmer civilization) Inland kingdoms based on agriculture (e.g. Khmer civilization) Those based on maritime trade (e.g. polities alongside the Straits of Melaka) Those based on maritime trade (e.g. polities alongside the Straits of Melaka) Hybrids incorporating agriculture and maritime trade (e.g. Madjapahit) Hybrids incorporating agriculture and maritime trade (e.g. Madjapahit)

Early mandala states Funan (3 rd to 6 th centuries CE) in Southern Vietnam Funan (3 rd to 6 th centuries CE) in Southern Vietnam Chen-la (5 th to 7 th centuries CE) inland Mekong river basin Chen-la (5 th to 7 th centuries CE) inland Mekong river basin

Images of Funan

Images of Chen-la

Great classical states Khmer kingdom of Angkor Khmer kingdom of Angkor Pagan (Bagan) civilization in Burma Pagan (Bagan) civilization in Burma Srivijaya in Sumatra Srivijaya in Sumatra Madjapahit in Java Madjapahit in Java Dai Viet in north Vietnam Dai Viet in north Vietnam Champa in south Vietnam Champa in south Vietnam

The Khmer kingdom Extensive hydraulic works to support rice production (3-4 crops a year) Extensive hydraulic works to support rice production (3-4 crops a year) Theocratic state with priestly families Theocratic state with priestly families Magnificent temple cities (Angkor Wat) Magnificent temple cities (Angkor Wat) Substantial public services: hospitals, schools and libraries Substantial public services: hospitals, schools and libraries Active trade with China and many resident Chinese traders Active trade with China and many resident Chinese traders

Khmer images

Pagan kingdom Agriculture-based civilization along Irrawaddy river in Burma Agriculture-based civilization along Irrawaddy river in Burma Extensive irrigation networks Extensive irrigation networks Capital city of temples and shrines (Pagan or Bagan) Capital city of temples and shrines (Pagan or Bagan)

Images of Bagan

Srivijaya ( CE) Importance of Strait of Melaka (Malacca) to maritime trade within SEA and with India, Middle East, Africa and eastern Mediterranean Importance of Strait of Melaka (Malacca) to maritime trade within SEA and with India, Middle East, Africa and eastern Mediterranean Maritime empire based in Sumatra w/c exercised considerable control over international commerce and maintained close trade relations w/ China Maritime empire based in Sumatra w/c exercised considerable control over international commerce and maintained close trade relations w/ China

Extent of Srivijaya

Madjapahit ( ) Reached its peak in the 14 th century under PM Gajah Mada when it controlled an empire embracing most of modern Indonesia Reached its peak in the 14 th century under PM Gajah Mada when it controlled an empire embracing most of modern Indonesia Hybrid economy based on agriculture and maritime trade Hybrid economy based on agriculture and maritime trade Unique Hindi-Javanese syncretic culture (people must avoid disharmony at all cost); eventually displaced by Islam; survives in Bali Unique Hindi-Javanese syncretic culture (people must avoid disharmony at all cost); eventually displaced by Islam; survives in Bali

Madjapahit images

The Dai Viet state Overthrow of Chinese rule after a millennium in early 10 th century Overthrow of Chinese rule after a millennium in early 10 th century While assimilating Chinese values, customs and institutions, Vietnamese maintained intense hatred of Chinese and resisted cultural genocide While assimilating Chinese values, customs and institutions, Vietnamese maintained intense hatred of Chinese and resisted cultural genocide Chinese re-conquest and Vietnamese responses (resistance, tributary and diplomatic relations) Chinese re-conquest and Vietnamese responses (resistance, tributary and diplomatic relations)

Dai Viet images

Champa (7 th -15 th centuries CE) Indianized maritime trading state in south and central Vietnam Indianized maritime trading state in south and central Vietnam Continuous warfare with Dai Viet and Khmers Continuous warfare with Dai Viet and Khmers Finally conquered by Dai Viet in 1471 Finally conquered by Dai Viet in 1471 Parts of Champa existed as Dai Viet protectorate up to the 19 th c. CE Parts of Champa existed as Dai Viet protectorate up to the 19 th c. CE

Images of Champa

Decline of classical states, 13 th -15 th centuries CE Conquest and civil wars Conquest and civil wars –Pagan conquered by the Mongols in 1288 –Emerging Thai state conquers and takes over Khmer territory –Dai Viet conquering Champa –Madjapahit weakened by internal wars of succession

Decline of classical states II Impact of Theravada Buddhism and Islam Impact of Theravada Buddhism and Islam –Both religions challenged the hierarchical sociopolitical order of classical regimes –Theravada tolerably incorporated peasant animism –Sunni Islam also appealed to peasants and merchants with its egalitarianism –Rulers of maritime states in Malay peninsula and Indonesian archipelago adopted the new faith and installed themselves as sultans who combined political and religious leadership