South Asia and Southeast Asia around 1200

Key Belief Systems

• Hinduism

  • Dominant in South Asia (India)
  • Polytheistic: Belief in many gods
  • Goal: Reunite individual soul with Brahman through reincarnation
  • Caste System: Structured society; movement between castes generally only through reincarnation
  • Unified Indian culture for millennia

• Buddhism

  • Founded in India; shares some beliefs with Hinduism (e.g., reincarnation)
  • Rejected caste system; emphasized equality
  • Universalizing Religion: More adaptable and spreadable across cultures
  • Influence waning in India by 1200

• Islam

  • Introduced by Turkic Muslim invaders in 1206; establishment of Delhi Sultanate
  • Became the religion of the elite in parts of India as Buddhism declined

Changing Beliefs in Southeast Asia

• Hinduism

  • Bhakti Movement: Encouraged worship of one god from Hindu pantheon; rejected hierarchy

• Islam

  • Sufism: Mystical, spiritual form; emphasized accessible spiritual experiences

• Buddhism

  • Became exclusive; mostly practiced by monks in monasteries

State Formation and Power

South Asia

• Delhi Sultanate (1206)
  • Ruled Northern India; Islam had limited societal penetration due to entrenched Hinduism
  • Faced resistance from Rajput Kingdoms and new Hindu states like the Vijayanagara Empire

Southeast Asia

• Srivijaya Empire

  • Buddhist; influenced by Indian Hindu culture
  • Controlled Strait of Malacca, taxing passing ships

• Majapahit Kingdom

  • On Java; Hindu with Buddhist influences
  • Established a tributary system for regional dominance

• Sinhala Dynasties

  • Buddhist; land-based power in Sri Lanka

• Khmer Empire

  • Originally Hindu, later included Buddhist elements
  • Angkor Wat: Represents syncretism of Hinduism and Buddhism

Important Concepts

• Ethnic vs. Universalizing Religions

  • Ethnic (e.g., Hinduism): Tied to specific cultures; less spreadable
  • Universalizing (e.g., Buddhism): More adaptable across different cultures

• Syncretism

  • Blending of religious elements; seen in Khmer Empire with Hinduism and Buddhism

These notes cover the major belief systems and state formations in South and Southeast Asia around 1200, highlighting the shifts in religious dominance and state power structures.