ABSTRACT
In time, Srivijaya's position came under threat from powerful rivals. Javanese kings were strong enough to launch
Map of western Indonesia, showing the position of Palembang
Illustration by Tom Willcockson
a raid on the kingdom in the late tenth century, although Srivijaya was able to respond in kind shortly afterward. Then in 1025 an expedition from the kingdom in southern India sacked the Srivijaya capital. This blow was followed by a major change in the structure of Southeast Asian trade from about the twelfth century, with the arrival for the first time of Chinese traders in significant numbers. With the backing of the Chinese Empire, these traders sought to diminish Srivijaya's stranglehold on the commerce of the Strait of
Melaka, and they deliberately patronized and encouraged the development of other ports. As external trade became more important, too, Palembang's position away from the mouth of the strait became an increasing disadvantage. By the twelfth century the capital of Srivijaya had shifted north to the port of Jambi, sometimes called Malayu.
