The Evidence on the Culture of Srivijaya in the Soutjern peninsular

Abstract

From this study, the author has compiled evidence related to the Srivijaya culture which is regarded as the first unified kingdom in the Malay Peninsula by primarily focusing on the evidence relating to Southern Thailand both ancient documents or inscription, archaeological evidence of ancient remains and relics from archaeological sites in Southern Thailand. The study indicates that the Southern peninsula became-evident in ancient documents-the most suitable area for trading in the region. Taking advantages of the terrain and location as a coastal trade community, people in this area transformed the area culturally which later became Known as the Srivijaya culture. The evidence that was later unearthed included the ancient documents from outside communities engraved with ancient scripts. These consist of the Pallava, post-Pallava and the ancient Khmer scripts. along with evidence of ancient site; artifacts, sculpture which can be comparable what had been Javanese culture in Indonesia and Indian culture. The empire, which was based predominately on Mahayana Buddhism, However this ceased to exist due to various factors with the rise of the new creeds around the 18th century including the Muslim culture and Theradavan Buddhism (Lanka school). accompanying these factors was the lucrative trade agreements of China. Alongside these cultural and relegions changes was a new trade agreement with China which resulted in a switch to direct sea trade. This became a factor in it’s decline and decay. It led to a split into two groups: the Upper Peninsula of Malaya, developing into a state of Nakhon Si Thammarat which followed Theravada Buddhism and the Lower Peninsula and Islands into a group of Muslim states.