ABSTRACT

The earliest kingdoms known to have existed in Southeast Asia were of the Malay people, who profited as intermediaries in the east-west and Sino-Indian trade. Two different kingdoms in insular Southeast Asia attempted to exploit the situation for political and commercial benefits. The vision of subduing small trading kingdoms in mainland Southeast Asia, formerly under the Funanese sway, and incorporating them in an extended empire was intoxicating to the rulers of the islands. The Sailendra attacks and bid for power on mainland Southeast Asia acted as a catalyst to Khmer unity. In sum, the Khmer empire developed a civilization that dominated the southern and central areas of mainland Southeast Asia for several centuries. The importance of trade as a factor was derived from the strategic location of the Southeast Asian realm. Sailendras were the first group in Southeast Asian history to aspire to bring the insular and mainland territories under a common control.