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BLOG 2: How did the process of Indianisation influence the cultural, social, and economic development of Southeast Asia several thousand years ago?

  • Writer: Kerry Paul
    Kerry Paul
  • 2 days ago
  • 2 min read
Two figures in traditional attire overlook a temple and river. Text reads: "How did the process of Indianisation influence Southeast Asia?" Buddha statue and map visible.

Indianisation refers to the process by which Indian culture, religion, language, and social systems spread into Southeast Asia—not through colonisation, but via the exchange of ideas, trade, and migration. This process began as early as 6000 years ago and accelerated with the rise of maritime trade between India and Southeast Asia over 2000 years ago. Indianisation was a transformative process that connected Southeast Asia to the wider world.


Indianisation profoundly shaped the history and culture of Southeast Asia. It fostered the development of complex societies, monumental architecture, and enduring religious traditions. The process was dynamic and reciprocal, with Southeast Asia also influencing India in certain respects.


Key aspects of Indianisation include:

Golden Buddha statue with an orange robe, seated in a serene pose. Marble background, ornate details. Text: "GOLD BUDDHA in Sarnath".
Gold Buddha in Sarnath

  • The adoption of Hinduism and Buddhism by Southeast Asian elites and societies.


  • The use of Sanskrit as a language of culture, law, and religion.

Written Sanskrit
Written Sanskrit

  • The introduction of Indian architectural styles, temple complexes, and urban planning. For example, more than 200 temples were constructed across a vast 420 square kilometre area to form the Angkor Archaeological Park in today's Cambodia, with Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom standing out as the principal complexes, both predominantly built from sandstone.


  • The spread of Indian legal systems, literature, and cosmological concepts.


Indianisation was not a one-way imposition; Southeast Asian societies selectively integrated Indian elements with their own traditions, creating unique local cultures.


Indian maritime influence in Southeast Asia was profound and multifaceted. It was not limited to trade but encompassed the transmission of religion, language, architecture, governance, and technology. The maritime networks established by Indian traders and sailors served as the backbone for these exchanges, shaping the development of Southeast Asian societies and leaving a legacy that is still visible today in the region’s temples, languages, and traditions of countries like Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand.


Ships with golden sails dock by a tropical shore; lush mountains and clouds in the background create a serene, historical setting.

The process of Indianisation enhanced the maritime skills and technological abilities of Southeast Asian communities, empowering them to undertake extended oceanic journeys that eventually led to the settlement of New Zealand’s first settlers.

Comments

Kerry Paul Business man and blogger
Kerry Paul – Stepping Out of Your Bubble Author
​

Hi, I'm Kerry. I enjoy challenging people by asking questions and presenting different views to encourage critical thinking. My 45-year career has always had a global focus, building successful relationships in over 50 countries. I am empathetic to diverse views, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, religion, culture, or socio-economic status. Join me on a captivating journey as we explore how India shaped the world over two thousand years ago, potentially leading to the first settlement of New Zealand. This blog series aims to expand readers' awareness and knowledge of how people may have come to New Zealand in pre-Polynesian times. Given the time constraints many readers face, I am providing a platform for them to consider these intriguing possibilities in easy-to-read blog posts.

 

Who were the first people to settle in New Zealand? How did India possibly contribute to any development, given its major role over 2000 years ago in some of New Zealand’s closest neighbours? These questions will guide our exploration and open up a rich dialogue about the historical connections and cultural exchanges that may have shaped New Zealand's early settlements.

 

I'd be more than happy to discuss with readers of my blog about India, its history as well as New Zealand and the suggested origins of its first settlers. 

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