Early Indian Influence in Southeast Asia

Abstract

Southeast Asia has always been socially and culturally diverse, making accommodation easy. The indigenous people shaped adaptation and adoption of outside influences and sought out concepts and practices that enhanced rather than redirected changes already underway in their own societies. This was the result of a process that fundamentally changed the cultural composition and the indigenous traditions of the Southeast Asianists. The distinctive cultural pattern of India succeeded in striking roots in the Southeast Asian region. The result was an imposing array of architectural and other cultural marvels with indigenous interpretations. Under this background, this article studies the impact of early Indian influence on Southeast Asia. It further discovers India’s relation with one of its oldest ally—Indonesia—and proposes strategies for constructive re-engagement for revitalizing partnership.