Revisiting the Debate: “Indianization” in Southeast Asian History

The Indianization of Southeast Asia is a pivotal topic in the study of the region'sancient history, marked by considerable scholarly debate. Since the early twentiethcentury, researchers have been deeply engrossed in this subject, initially forming variedperspectives. Evidence such as Hindu temples, the widespread distribution of Sanskritinscriptions, and mythological narratives of Indian origin have led scholars to propose anIndianization phase in Southeast Asian history. During the early twentieth century, whenmuch of the Far East was under colonial rule, Western perceptions often framedSoutheast Asia as having been culturally and politically influenced by India, seen throughthe lens of colonialism and the dominance of Indian dynasties. However, this viewpointhas evolved significantly with the emergence of new historical findings and perspectives,particularly following World War II and the subsequent independence movements inSoutheast Asia. As these nations gained autonomy and established their own identities,scholarly inquiry into their histories underwent a reevaluation, leading to a more nuancedunderstanding of the processes of cultural interaction and development in the region.