South and Southeast Asia: Historical Developments and State Formation

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, people, and concepts related to Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, and the major states and religious movements of South and Southeast Asia from roughly the early medieval period through the early modern era.

Chola Dynasty

Hindu empire (c. 850–1267) that built extensive temple networks, conducted maritime trade with Tang China and the Abbasid Caliphate, became the greatest maritime empire in India, and influenced Southeast Asia through trade and conquest.

Imperial Pandyas

Tamil Nadu kingdom (c. 1216–1345); conflict with the Cholas marked the decline of the Chola Dynasty; promoted temple-centered Hinduism and contributed to the bhakti movement.

Bhakti Movement

Medieval Hindu reform movement emphasizing personal devotion to a deity; sought to reform society by promoting devotion over caste distinctions, with salvation accessible to all.

Nataraja Temple

Temple dedicated to Shiva as the lord of the dance; example of bhakti-influenced temple architecture and devotion.

Dalits

The 'untouchables' in the traditional Indian caste system.

Vedas

Ancient Hindu scriptures; the bhakti movement drew on Vedic ideas and was framed as a reformulation of earlier Hindu traditions.

Vijayanagara Empire

South Indian Hindu empire (1336–1646) with an agricultural economy, 300 sea ports, and active maritime trade; tolerant of religions but protected Hinduism; Bhakti movement active within the empire.

Harihara and Bukka

Brothers who founded the Vijayanagara Empire after initially being Hindu under Delhi’s influence.

Delhi Sultanate

Islamic imperial state in northern India (1206–1556) with dynasties such as the Mamluk, Tughluq, and others; its borders fluctuated over time.

Mamluk Dynasty

Early ruling dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate (1206–1290).

Tughluq Dynasty

Delhi Sultanate dynasty (1320–1414); known for administrative changes and military campaigns.

Rajput Kingdoms

Disjointed northern Indian Hindu/ Muslim/Sikh clans; posed a challenge to centralized Muslim rule; eventually certain regions achieved more centralized governance under sultans.

Srivijaya Empire

Hindu-Buddhist maritime kingdom (670–1025) based in Sumatra; controlled the Strait of Malacca and charged fees to access the trade route between China and India; a major hub for maritime trade.

Strait of Malacca

Waterway between Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula; strategic chokepoint controlled by Srivijaya, facilitating regional trade.

Majapahit Empire

Hindu-Buddhist empire centered on Java (1293–1527); one of the last great empires in Indonesia and influential in shaping Indonesia's historic boundaries.

Sinhala Dynasties

Buddhist monarchies in present-day Sri Lanka; developed irrigation, engaged in regional trade, and faced invasions 1200–1450; Zheng He briefly defeated a Sri Lankan ruler in 1411.

Zheng He

Ming dynasty admiral who sailed to Sri Lanka in 1411 and defeated ruler Vira Alakeshvara; represented Ming China’s maritime influence in the region.

Vira Alakeshvara

Ruler of a Sri Lankan kingdom who was defeated and captured by Zheng He in 1411.

Dvaravati

Early Mon polity in present-day Thailand and surrounding areas; part of the regional Buddhist networks prior to the rise of later Southeast Asian kingdoms.

Champa

Historical polity in central Vietnam; interacted with Srivijaya and other Southeast Asian powers during the period of regional trade networks.

Khmer Empire

Powerful Southeast Asian state centered in present-day Cambodia; engaged in trade, religion (Hinduism/Buddhism), and monumental temple architecture within the broader Indian Ocean world.

Buddhist Monasticism

Practice of renouncing worldly life to pursue spiritual work; spread from India to Tibet, East Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Sufism

Islamic mysticism emphasizing personal devotion and inward experience; played a role alongside Bhakti in religious developments across the region.