The Srivijaya Empire was a dominant thalassocratic Indonesian city-state based on the island of Sumatra, which influenced much of Southeast Asia from the 7th to the 12th century AD.
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The Srivijaya Empire was a dominant thalassocratic city-state based on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. It emerged in the 7th century and flourished until the 13th century. This maritime power controlled key chokepoints of maritime Southeast Asia, especially around the Strait of Malacca and Sunda Strait, crucial for trade. Srivijaya grew wealthy through its control of regional trade and as a center for Buddhist learning.
The Srivijaya Empire significantly influenced the spread of Buddhism and facilitated vast international trade networks between China, India, and beyond. Its control over strategic maritime routes allowed for cultural and economic exchanges that shaped Southeast Asian history. The empire's decline left a fragmented political landscape, paving the way for other regional powers to emerge, notably the Majapahit Empire. Srivijaya also contributed to the widespread use of Malay as a lingua franca in maritime Southeast Asia.