An Indonesian-governing empire known for its control of commercial trade routes in Southeast Asian islands from the seventh to the thirteenth centuries.
Originating in what is now southern Sumatra, the Srivijayas came to power in approximately 700 C.E., with their capital thought to be close to today’s Palembang in Sumatra or Bukit Segun-tang. At its peak, the Srivijaya empire reached as far as West Java and the Malay Peninsula. The Srivijaya empire attained its height of power during the ninth and tenth centuries, during which it controlled the maritime trade route between China and India, which passed through the Strait of Malacca (also called Melaka).
Srivijaya power relied mainly on ships, the vehicles of its trade. Not only did the Srivijayas control important trading routes, but they also discouraged alternate trading routes, because for many years they provided security from piracy in neighboring waters, a safety that many potential alternate harbors could not provide. In fact, the southeastern coast of Sumatra had little to boast except for its harbors, safe anchorages, river systems, and wide swamp belt preventing attack from the interior. The Srivijayas’ control of trading routes allowed them to dominate port kingdoms, such as Langkasuka, Chi Tu, Malayu (Jambi), Qie Zha (Kedah), Pan-pan, Ligor, and Takuapa in the Malay Peninsula and much of Sumatra.
The Srivijayas provided an essential link between the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean at a time of great demand for Asian maritime trade. The strong Indian and Hindu influence found in Srivijaya artifacts demonstrates the empire’s ties to and trade with India. Before the Majapahit empire destroyed it, Singapore was a trading center in the Srivijaya empire. The Srivijayas traded camphor, perfumes, benzoin, cubeb pepper, cloves, frankincense, and pine resin. As the power of the Srivijayas grew, so did their desire for exclusive control of trading activities and their imposition of heavy duties, tolls, and tributes. These actions, particularly in the farther reaches of Srivijaya territory, inspired resentment and revolt, leading to the Srivijayas’ decline. The Javanese overtook the Srivijaya empire in 1280.
Sanchitha Jayaram
See also: China; Frankincense and Myrrh; Pepper; Perfume.
Wolters, O.W. Early Indonesian Commerce: A Study of the Origins of ¤Srivjaya. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1967.