Empires of Southeast Asia and Indonesia

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and their definitions from the lecture notes on empires in Southeast Asia and Indonesia.

Champa

A collection of Cham coastal polities in central and southern Vietnam from 2nd-19th century CE, known for adopting Hinduism and cultivating drought-resistant rice.

Khmer Empire

A Hindu-Buddhist empire in Southeast Asia from 802-1431 AD, known for its legacy including the city of Angkor in Cambodia.

Angkor Wat

A temple constructed in the Khmer Empire, symbolizing the architectural achievement and religious significance of Hinduism in Southeast Asia.

Hinduism

A major religion that spread easily to the empires of Champa and Khmer, characterized by the caste system and admiration for deities like Shiva and Vishnu.

Srivijaya

A vast, dominant maritime Indonesian kingdom that expanded Buddhism in the region from the 8th to the 12th century CE.

Majapahit Empire

A maritime Empire in Southeast Asia (1290-1500) known for its role in the fall of Srivijaya and for resisting Mongol invasions.

Mongol Invasions

Military campaigns by the Mongol Empire, notably the attempts under Kublai Khan against the Majapahit Empire in the 13th century.

Caste System

A social hierarchy that reinforced ruling authority, appealing to Southeast Asian rulers and influencing their adoption of Hinduism.

Hindu Deities

Divine figures such as Shiva and Vishnu, admired by Southeast Asian rulers, which contributed to the spread of Hinduism in the region.

Buddhism

A religion that was expanded by Srivijaya and spread peacefully to the Majapahit Empire through trade.