Neighbours near and far
The kingdoms of the Malay World did not live alone. At the same time, great foreign kingdoms flourished nearby, above all China to the northeast and the kingdoms of India to the west. Trade linked them all, carried across the seas by the monsoon winds.
Tribute and trade with China
To keep good relations with mighty China, Malay World kingdoms would send tribute (进贡) — gifts carried by special missions to the Chinese court. In return they gained protection and valuable trading rights. Chinese records of these missions are precious to historians today, because they mention early Malay kingdoms and their trade when few local records survive.
Key idea
The link with foreign kingdoms was built mainly on trade and diplomacy, not on war. Sending tribute won protection and trading rights.
India and lasting influence
India was also a vital partner. But relations were not always peaceful: in the 11th century the powerful Chola kingdom of southern India launched a naval attack on Srivijaya. Even so, the greatest gifts of this long contact were peaceful ones — new religion, writing and art that shaped the Malay World for centuries. Merchants, monks and envoys carried ideas as well as goods, so a busy port could also become a meeting place of cultures. This exchange of goods and ideas helped the Malay World stay open, wealthy and connected to the wider world.
Remember
- Main foreign partners: China and India.
- Tribute to China won protection and trading rights.
- The Chola of India attacked Srivijaya in the 11th century.
- Contact brought religion, writing and art.