THE THEORY OF THE VAISYAS
The theory of the Vaisyas postulates that Indian culture was introduced to and spread through Southeast Asia through traders, specifically the Vaisyas of the merchant class.
As a wide diversity of cultures is present in Southeast Asia even today, it can be concluded that Indianisation was a peaceful process, rather than a forced one. Thus, Indian culture could only have been transmitted through the traders, through a mutual exchange of ideas.
According to the theory, Indian cultural penetration began with traders who intermarried local women. There was commercial expansion of traders via sea-route to Southeast Asia, who brought along the Indian culture with them, and impressed local people with their goods and culture. Intermarriage also ensured that Indian influence would remain in many of these regions.
It is assumed that there was a large amount of trade between India and Southeast Asia. With this high trade traffic, the people naturally interacted with one another and thus influenced each other. Therefore, it is assumed that Indian influence spread to Southeast Asia in this gradual manner.
The theory of the Vaisyas postulates that Indian culture was introduced to and spread through Southeast Asia through traders, specifically the Vaisyas of the merchant class.
As a wide diversity of cultures is present in Southeast Asia even today, it can be concluded that Indianisation was a peaceful process, rather than a forced one. Thus, Indian culture could only have been transmitted through the traders, through a mutual exchange of ideas.
According to the theory, Indian cultural penetration began with traders who intermarried local women. There was commercial expansion of traders via sea-route to Southeast Asia, who brought along the Indian culture with them, and impressed local people with their goods and culture. Intermarriage also ensured that Indian influence would remain in many of these regions.
It is assumed that there was a large amount of trade between India and Southeast Asia. With this high trade traffic, the people naturally interacted with one another and thus influenced each other. Therefore, it is assumed that Indian influence spread to Southeast Asia in this gradual manner.
REASONS DEBUNKING THIS THEORY
Merchants were of low origin and caste and would not have the extensive knowledge to pass on extremely complex expertise, such as politics, kingship and the universe, which had been spread along with Indianisation. Furthermore, the prospect of acquiring wealth was the first priority for by Indian traders and merchants, not spreading their culture or settling down with the local people.
Furthermore, If the spread of Indianization originated from the traders, it should have been more concentrated around the coastal and port area. However, the diffusion of Indian civilization has spread to remote areas away from the port such as Kedu and Prambanan in Java, which is why the sea route trade does not work for this Vaisya theory.
Merchants were of low origin and caste and would not have the extensive knowledge to pass on extremely complex expertise, such as politics, kingship and the universe, which had been spread along with Indianisation. Furthermore, the prospect of acquiring wealth was the first priority for by Indian traders and merchants, not spreading their culture or settling down with the local people.
Furthermore, If the spread of Indianization originated from the traders, it should have been more concentrated around the coastal and port area. However, the diffusion of Indian civilization has spread to remote areas away from the port such as Kedu and Prambanan in Java, which is why the sea route trade does not work for this Vaisya theory.