Overview
This lecture explores how Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam shaped societies, state formation, and culture in South Asia and Southeast Asia around the year 1200.
Major Belief Systems in South and Southeast Asia
- By 1200, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam were the dominant belief systems in these regions.
- Hinduism is a polytheistic faith focused on reuniting the soul with Brahman via cycles of reincarnation.
- Hinduism established the caste system, creating a rigid social hierarchy.
- Buddhism, started in India, shares reincarnation beliefs but rejects the caste system and promotes equality.
- Islam entered South Asia mainly via Turkic invasions, becoming the religion of political elites.
- In Southeast Asia, all three religions coexisted and influenced local cultures.
Changes Within Belief Systems (c. 1200)
- The Bhakti movement in Hinduism emphasized devotion to a single god and spiritual equality.
- Sufism, a mystical branch of Islam, downplayed strict doctrine in favor of direct spiritual experiences.
- Bhakti and Sufism both promoted spiritual access for all and aided the spread of their religions.
- Buddhism in South Asia became more exclusive, mostly practiced by monks, and declined in influence.
State Formation and Power
- The Delhi Sultanate (founded 1206) brought Muslim rule to Northern India but struggled to make Islam the majority religion.
- Rajput kingdoms resisted Muslim rule, and Hindu Vijayanagara Empire formed in Southern India from Hindu converts to Islam.
- In Southeast Asia, sea-based states like Srivijaya (Buddhist) and Majapahit (Hindu-Buddhist) grew rich through trade control and tribute systems.
- Land-based states included the Sinhala dynasties (Buddhist, Sri Lanka) and the Khmer Empire (Hindu then Buddhist, Cambodia).
- Khmer Empire built Angkor Wat, a major Hindu temple later adapted for Buddhism, showing religious syncretism (blending).
Key Terms & Definitions
- Polytheism — belief in many gods.
- Reincarnation — cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
- Caste System — rigid social structure based on heredity in Hinduism.
- Ethnic Religion — religion closely tied to a particular people/place (e.g., Hinduism).
- Universalizing Religion — religion meant to be adopted by any culture (e.g., Buddhism).
- Bhakti Movement — Hindu devotional movement emphasizing personal connection to a god.
- Sufism — mystical, spiritual branch of Islam.
- Syncretism — blending of different religious traditions.
- Tributary System — weaker states pay goods/services to stronger states for protection or recognition.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the rise and impacts of the Bhakti movement and Sufism.
- Understand how religious changes affected state formation and cultural blending.
- Study the significance of Angkor Wat as an example of syncretism.