State Building in SOUTH Asia & SOUTHEAST Asia [AP World Review—Unit 1 Topic 3]

Exploring South and Southeast Asia Around 1200

Overview of Belief Systems

• The discussion focuses on the major belief systems in South and Southeast Asia around the year 1200, specifically Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism.

• These regions were characterized by a struggle for dominance among these three established religions.

Hinduism's Influence in South Asia

• Hinduism was the dominant religion in India, known for its polytheistic nature and the ultimate goal of uniting individual souls with Brahman through reincarnation.

• The caste system structured Indian society into five tiers, influencing social mobility based on moral conduct across lifetimes.

• Understanding Hinduism is crucial to grasping Indian culture due to its long-standing influence.

Buddhism's Role

• Founded in India, Buddhism shares beliefs with Hinduism but rejects the caste system, promoting equality among all people.

• By 1200, Buddhism's influence was declining significantly within its birthplace despite its universalizing nature that allowed it to spread across cultures.

Emergence of Islam

• In 1206, Turkic Muslim invaders established the Delhi Sultanate in South Asia, making Islam the second most important belief system after Hinduism.

• As Muslims gained power in parts of India, Islam became associated with elite status.

Southeast Asia: A Diverse Religious Landscape

• Southeast Asia exhibited diversity with states practicing Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam; each belief system underwent changes during this period.

Changes Within Religions

• The Bhakti movement emerged within Hinduism as a new expression encouraging personal devotion to specific deities while rejecting traditional hierarchies.

• Sufism developed within Islam as a mystical approach emphasizing spiritual experiences accessible to all individuals.

The Decline of Buddhism and the Rise of States in South Asia

The Decline of Buddhism in South Asia

• By this time, Buddhism was becoming more exclusive, primarily attracting monks seeking Nirvana, leading to its decline in South Asia.

Formation and Power Maintenance of States

• The Delhi Sultanate was established by Muslims in 1206 but struggled to impose Islam on India due to the deep-rooted presence of Hinduism.

• Resistance to Muslim rule persisted through Rajput kingdoms, which were independent Hindu states that existed before and during Muslim dominance.

• A significant development was the establishment of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th century as a response to northern Muslim expansion; it was founded by Hindu converts who rejected their Islamic faith.

State Building in Southeast Asia

Sea-Based States

• The Srivijaya Empire (7th to 11th century), a Buddhist state influenced by Indian culture, gained wealth through control over the Strait of Malacca, taxing passing ships.

• The Majapahit Kingdom emerged at the end of the 13th century on Java, maintaining power through a tributary system requiring goods and services from other states.

Land-Based States

• In Sri Lanka, Sinhala dynasties represented a long-standing Buddhist state that thrived independently without reliance on maritime trade.