South and Southeast Asia: Significant States Flashcards
Delhi Sultanate
The Delhi Sultanate was a Muslim dynasty in India that lasted from 1200-1750. During this period, five dynasties of Turkic origin ruled over Delhi, each with its own distinct culture. The rulers of the Sultanate were responsible for significant cultural and religious developments in India during this time, including the introduction of Islam, the Persian language, and the construction of many splendid mosques, tombs, and monuments. They also established a strong military presence in the region and fought a series of wars against their Hindu neighbors. The Sultanate was eventually weakened by a series of invasions, civil wars, and internal revolts, eventually leading to its decline and the emergence of the Mughal Empire.
Khmer Empire
The Khmer Empire was an Indianized kingdom that existed in Southeast Asia from the 9th century to the 15th century. It was one of the largest and most powerful empires in the region, controlling much of present-day Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. During its heyday, the Khmer Empire was a major center of culture, learning, and architecture. Its most famous monuments, Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, remain as some of the most iconic symbols of the region. The Khmer Empire reached its peak during the 12th to 15th centuries, during which time its power extended from the Bay of Bengal to the Gulf of Thailand. During this period, the Khmer Empire was highly centralized, with a strong military and a highly stratified society. Its economy was based on agriculture and trade, and it was known for its advanced irrigation systems and trading networks. In addition, the Khmer Empire was marked by a unique form of Hinduism and Buddhism. The Khmer Empire began to decline in the 16th century due to the expansion of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, and it eventually fell in 1750. Despite its decline, the Khmer Empire left a lasting legacy on Cambodia and its neighboring countries. Its stone monuments and temples still stand as reminders of its power and grandeur.
Majapahit Empire
The Majapahit Empire was an Indonesian Hindu-Buddhist Empire that flourished from the 13th to 16th centuries. It was one of the most powerful empires in Southeast Asia and is considered to be the last great Hindu-Buddhist kingdom in the region. At the height of its power, the Majapahit Empire stretched from the Malay Peninsula to Sumatra, the Molucca Islands, and Sulawesi in the east. It was known for its strong military and naval power, as well as its religious and cultural influence. The Majapahit Empire was founded in 1293 by Raden Wijaya, a prince from Singhasari. He established the empire in East Java, and it quickly grew to become one of the most powerful empires in the region. During its peak, the Majapahit Empire was ruled by a succession of kings and queens, the most famous being Hayam Wuruk and his Prime Minister Gajah Mada. During their reign, the empire reached its greatest extent and achieved many accomplishments. The Majapahit Empire was known for its wealth and advanced culture. Its capital, Majapahit, was a major center of trade and commerce. It was also a center of Hindu-Buddhist learning and art and was home to some of the most advanced temples and monuments of the time. The Majapahit Empire eventually declined due to internal conflicts and external pressures from the growing Islamic states of the region. By the mid-17th century, the empire had been reduced to a small kingdom in its former lands. It finally ended with the fall of its last ruler in 1750.
Srivijaya Empire
The Srivijaya Empire was a powerful maritime empire that existed in Southeast Asia from approximately the 7th to 13th centuries. Based in modern-day Indonesia, the Srivijaya Empire was a major regional power, controlling much of the maritime trade in the region and exerting influence over its neighbors. During its peak, the Srivijaya Empire was one of the largest and most powerful empires in Southeast Asia, stretching from modern-day Sumatra to parts of the Malay Peninsula and the Philippines. The Srivijaya Empire was known for its sophisticated maritime trading network, which included trading with Chinese, Indian, and Arab merchants. This network was essential in the spread of Buddhism and Hinduism throughout Southeast Asia. The Srivijaya Empire began to decline in the 13th century due to internal conflicts and external pressures from the Rajahnates of Butuan and Cebu in the Philippines and the Javanese Majapahit Empire. By the 1750s, the Srivijaya Empire had been reduced to a small kingdom.
Sultanate of Malacca
The Sultanate of Malacca was a powerful Malay Muslim sultanate that ruled the Malay Peninsula and much of the modern-day Indonesian archipelago from 1200 to 1750. The Sultanate was centered in the port city of Malacca, located on the Strait of Malacca, where a thriving commercial port had been established by the Malay prince Parameswara. The Sultanate quickly became a major trading port, with traders from the Middle East, India, China, and other parts of Southeast Asia visiting the city. Malacca was also a major center of Islamic learning and culture, and under its rulers the city became a major religious center for the region. The Sultanate was a powerful political and religious state and its rulers were able to expand their influence and power through alliances with other local rulers. The Sultanate also had a strong military, with its navy being especially powerful. The Sultanate was eventually conquered by the Portuguese in 1511, but its legacy continued to influence the region even after its fall.
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire was a powerful and influential empire that ruled in India and Pakistan from the early 16th century to the mid-18th century. Founded by Babur, a Central Asian ruler, the empire was a mix of Turco-Mongol and Persian influences, and Islamic culture. Through a combination of military conquests, diplomatic alliances, and administrative reforms, it grew to become the world’s largest and most powerful empire of its time. The Mughal Empire reached its peak under the rule of the third Mughal Emperor, Akbar the Great (1556-1605). During his reign, Akbar implemented many reforms, including a new taxation system, religious tolerance, and the establishment of a central bureaucracy. He also established a strong military and extended the Mughal Empire to include parts of modern-day Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The Mughal Empire continued to prosper and expand under the reigns of other rulers, including Jahangir (1605-1627) and Shah Jahan (1627-1658). During this period, the empire experienced a golden age of art, culture, and architecture. The Taj Mahal, one of the most famous monuments in the world, was built by Shah Jahan in honor of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Mughal Empire gradually declined after the death of Aurangzeb in 1707. In 1719, the Persian ruler Nadir Shah invaded India and sacked Delhi, bringing an end to the Mughal Empire. The empire officially ended in 1750 when the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah II, was exiled by the British.
