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THE THEORY OF THE BRAHMINS
The theory of the Brahmins postulates that the Brahmin priests were the reason for spread of Indian culture into Southeast Asia.
The Brahmins were the top caste of India's caste system, and thus had large amounts of knowledge in many matters relating to law, government and architecture. Therefore, the locals would have more readily accepted their cultures and practices in order to develop and advance their own systems. Furthermore, the religion of the Brahmin priests would have been accepted by local rulers as they could legitimise their "claim" as a ruler. Through their rulers, the religion of the Brahmins would have spread to the local people as well.
Also, Hinduism was rather similar to the animistic beliefs of the people, where the gods of Indian culture were a physical manifestation of the sprits the locals believed in. Thus, it would have been easy for the locals to assimilate to Hinduism. Also, as the Brahmin priests were directly linked to the gods, the locals would be in awe of the Brahmin priests, and thus would have believed them.
The theory of the Brahmins postulates that the Brahmin priests were the reason for spread of Indian culture into Southeast Asia.
The Brahmins were the top caste of India's caste system, and thus had large amounts of knowledge in many matters relating to law, government and architecture. Therefore, the locals would have more readily accepted their cultures and practices in order to develop and advance their own systems. Furthermore, the religion of the Brahmin priests would have been accepted by local rulers as they could legitimise their "claim" as a ruler. Through their rulers, the religion of the Brahmins would have spread to the local people as well.
Also, Hinduism was rather similar to the animistic beliefs of the people, where the gods of Indian culture were a physical manifestation of the sprits the locals believed in. Thus, it would have been easy for the locals to assimilate to Hinduism. Also, as the Brahmin priests were directly linked to the gods, the locals would be in awe of the Brahmin priests, and thus would have believed them.
REASONS DEBUNKING THIS THEORY
Being the top caste of India's caste system, the Brahmins would have been rather elitist. Therefore, if they were truly responsible for the spread of Indian influence, they would have introduced the caste system to the region. However, the caste system is not present in Southeast Asia today.
Hence, this debunks the Brahmin theory.
Being the top caste of India's caste system, the Brahmins would have been rather elitist. Therefore, if they were truly responsible for the spread of Indian influence, they would have introduced the caste system to the region. However, the caste system is not present in Southeast Asia today.
Hence, this debunks the Brahmin theory.