Collective will of the people of the Indian Ocean Rim can make this United Indian Ocean States a reality as an engine for unpredecented socio-economic growth and cultural renaissance with strong civilizational foundations. A stellar example is the largest Vishnu temple of the world: Angkor Wat, Nagara Vaatika.
It will be a historic moment when daily puja in this Vishnu temple starts in accordance with the Pancharatra aagama tradition established when the temple was dedicated to the world.
NaMo, Manohar Parrikar, this celebration should be a harbinger of Indian Ocean Community, as an engine of growth for the United Indian Ocean States. This Indian Ocean Community (IOC) will be an engine of unprecedented growth as a Free Trade Zone with the potential to take the region to the fair share of World GDP the region had in 1CE (pace Angus Maddison):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INS_Sudarshini_(A77)"Sudarshini started its first nine nation voyage of ASEAN countries on 15 September 2012 to trace the ancient route taken by Indian mariners to South East Asia. During the course of the 12,000 mile voyage, she visited 13 ports in 9 ASEAN countries. The ship visited the ports of Padang, Bali, Manado in Indonesia, Port Muara in Brunei, Cebu, Manila, Da Nang, Sihanoukvillein Cambodia, Bangkok, Phuket in Thailand, Singapore, Port Klang in Malaysia and Sittwe in Myanmar. While on the voyage, the ship's embarked Indian Naval and Coast Guard cadets, as well as cadets from other ASEAN countries. During the ASEAN deployment, the commanding officer of Sudarshini, Commander N Shyam Sundar, wrote live blogs from sea. This was the first time the Indian Navy has used social media to promote a diplomatic naval voyage.The ship returned to its home port, Kochi, on 25 March 2013 and was greeted by the Defence Minister of India, A. K. Antony, the Chief of Southern Naval Command, Vice Admiral Satish Soni, ambassadors and heads of missions of ASEAN nations."
Rajendra Chola (1012–1044 CE) improved the ships of his father RajaRaja and was the First Indian Ruler to establish the First Indian Naval Fleet. He had established contacts with Indian Ocean Community (Hindumahasagar Parivaar) extending from India up to Java, Sumatra, Bali, parts of Malaysia,
Brunei islands, Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia.
King Karikala Chola had established friendship ties with Kidäram, the Tamil form for the kingdom of Bujang valley. Kidaram was the Tamil name of Kedah ‘abode of peace’ located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The people of Kedah know the bounties brought by River Mekong flowing from Manasarovar glacier of Himalaya.
In the village called Piñjai, adjacent to Kidaram Kondan, there is a 1,000-year-old temple inscription which refers to the gifts given by the king to the artisans of the region. In the Singapore Kalachakra Museum, there is a model of a golden chariot which a Khmer king had given to King Karikala to celebrate the Chola-Khmer alliance. Khmer influence in Thai-Malay peninsula during 12th century CE is recorded by the French epigraphist George Coedes. Some historians interpret that the gift of the Khmer chariot was from Suryavarman to Rajendra Chola.
Kalyanaraman
Nov. 20, 2014
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Kalyanaraman
Nov. 20, 2014
Original post: Model of Khmer Chariot
This model is displayed here to illustrate a typical Khmer chariot used in battles.
Chola – Khmer Alliance:
Some historians have interpreted that the gift of the Khmer chariot from Suryavarman I to Rajendrachola is the Khmer response to a threat and military pressure from Srivijaya. The date of the gift would correspond to the strongest period of Srivijaya’s control over the Straits trade route.
Some historians have interpreted that the gift of the Khmer chariot from Suryavarman I to Rajendrachola is the Khmer response to a threat and military pressure from Srivijaya. The date of the gift would correspond to the strongest period of Srivijaya’s control over the Straits trade route.
The famous scholar of Southeast Asian archaeology and history, George Coedès connected the Khmer request for Chola aid to the internal politics of the Angkorian empire. In doing so, he noted the statement of the Prasat Ben inscription, that Jayaviravarman’s “universal glory was not destroyed by the times. Although beaten, he remained stable on the earth”.
Coedès suggested that the gift of the “King of Kambuja” in the ‘Karanthai Copper Plates’ corresponded in time to a Khmer military campaign into the Chao Phraya river valley and was Suryavarman’s request for Chola aid against his rival Jayaviravarman and Tambralinga.
Faced with a possible Chola-Khmer alliance, Tambralinga turned for aid to Srivijaya. In Coedès’ view, the result of this complicated diplomacy was the Chola raid, which, as expressed in the Tanjore inscription, was directed at Srivijaya and its ports – one of which was Tambralinga (Madamalingam). Completing his argument, Coedès stated that the Chola expedition led to the reintroduction of Khmer influence in the Thai-Malay peninsula during the second quarter of the 12th Century CE.
This chariot was shown in the Kaalachakra (Wheel of time) Exhibition organised by the National Library Board, Singapore from 17 November 2007 for a period of six months till May 2008. This was also a celebration of Rajendra Chola's naval expeditions in Southeast Asia, explains Pushpalata Naidu, Senior Executive, Lee Kong Chian Reference Library, National Library. Tanjore Temple inscriptions in Tamil describing these naval expeditions were also exhibited. http://www.microsite.nl.sg/PDFs/BiblioAsia/BIBA_0303Oct07c.pdf
"The exhibition offered a glimpse into the historical past of the Indian community and how its roots form part of Singapore’s multi-cultural national identity and heritage. The exhibition focused on the cultural and religious influences as well as early trade related incursions from South India to Southeast Asia and vice versa up to the 13th Century. More importantly, it traces the influence of the Sanskrit and Tamil languages in this region and the spread of Hinduism and Buddhism. A bibliography titled “’KaalaChakra’: Wheel of Time, Early Indian Influences in Southeast Asia, A Select Annotated Bibliography” was also launched to commemorate the opening of the exhibition. In parallel with the exhibition, an international academic conference was organised by the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS), on ‘Early Indian Influences in Southeast Asia: Reflections on Cross-Cultural Movements’ from 21 to 23 November and was attended by local and international historians and researchers."http://www.cdnl.info/2008/CDNL-Quebec-2008-country-report-Singapore.rtf
Indian Navy to commemorate Rajendra Chola's 1000th-yr
CHENNAI (PTI): Indian Navy is gearing up to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the coronation of ancient Tamil King Rajendra Chola, who is credited with expanding his empire across the seas to South-East Asia and to the North up to the Ganges with his navy.
"Indian Navy has decided to commemorate the 1000th year of King Rajendra Chola's coronation with a series of activities. We are joining hands with the National Maritime Foundation and the Tamil Nadu government for the celebration," Commodore Amar K Mahadevan, Naval Officer In-charge (Tamil Nadu and Puducherry) said.
As part of the celebrations, INS Sudarshini, a sailing and training ship of the Indian Navy, is being brought to Chennai on Tuesday and its journey to Nagapattinam, believed to be one of the naval base of Rajendra Chola's navy, would be part of the celebration.
"It is to be noted that INS Sudarshini is now on its voyage around the world or circumnavigation and is on its way back to Kochi. It is only fitting that a circumnavigating ship is being involved in the celebrations of a king, whose navy has gone beyond boundaries even in those ancient times," he said.
Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah would flag off the ship from the Chennai Port Trust premises to Nagapattinam on Tuesday, which will symbolize the achievements of the Chola Navy, whose ships have sailed and conquered lands in South-East Asia, which is present day Java, Sumatra and Malay Peninsula.
Boats belonging to Tamil Nadu Sailing Association and Royal Madras Yacht Club would escort INS Sudarshini out of Chennai harbour, while the local elite and dignitaries would welcome her on her calling the Nagapattinam port.
"We are planning to take 30 Navy and NCC cadets on board the ship weather permitting", he said.
The Navy is planning a series of events, including seminars and expo, whose schedule would be announced later.
"Indian Navy has decided to commemorate the 1000th year of King Rajendra Chola's coronation with a series of activities. We are joining hands with the National Maritime Foundation and the Tamil Nadu government for the celebration," Commodore Amar K Mahadevan, Naval Officer In-charge (Tamil Nadu and Puducherry) said.
As part of the celebrations, INS Sudarshini, a sailing and training ship of the Indian Navy, is being brought to Chennai on Tuesday and its journey to Nagapattinam, believed to be one of the naval base of Rajendra Chola's navy, would be part of the celebration.
"It is to be noted that INS Sudarshini is now on its voyage around the world or circumnavigation and is on its way back to Kochi. It is only fitting that a circumnavigating ship is being involved in the celebrations of a king, whose navy has gone beyond boundaries even in those ancient times," he said.
Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah would flag off the ship from the Chennai Port Trust premises to Nagapattinam on Tuesday, which will symbolize the achievements of the Chola Navy, whose ships have sailed and conquered lands in South-East Asia, which is present day Java, Sumatra and Malay Peninsula.
Boats belonging to Tamil Nadu Sailing Association and Royal Madras Yacht Club would escort INS Sudarshini out of Chennai harbour, while the local elite and dignitaries would welcome her on her calling the Nagapattinam port.
"We are planning to take 30 Navy and NCC cadets on board the ship weather permitting", he said.
The Navy is planning a series of events, including seminars and expo, whose schedule would be announced later.
http://brahmand.com/news/Indian-Navy-to-commemorate-Rajendra-Cholas-1000thyr/13071/1/15.html
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National Library, Singapore
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Highlights from this fascinating exhibition.![]()
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National Library, Singapore
Video: Kaalachakra Exhibition https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50Jcs7P4GdE&index=67&list=PLOvBGSXZWIfNRyT8kNUG3klXyBKyy3EkA
Uploaded on Jan 24, 2008
Aligning with the National Library Board's mission to promote a knowledgeable and engaged society, the KaalaChakra exhibition on the early Indian influences in Southeast Asia, will focus on the cultural and religious influences as well as early trade related incursions from South India to Southeast Asia and vice versa up to the 13th Century AD. More importantly, it traces the influence of the Sanskrit and Tamil languages in this region and the spread of Hinduism and Buddhism.
The beginning of the 1,000th anniversary of the Tamil king Rajendra Chola's naval expeditions in Southeast Asia will also be celebrated at the National Library via KaalaChakra from 17 November 2007 for a period of 6 months. KaalaChakra will be jointly organised with several international stakeholders such as museums, libraries and universities who have provided exhibits like artifacts, archaeological and inscriptional evidences.
The beginning of the 1,000th anniversary of the Tamil king Rajendra Chola's naval expeditions in Southeast Asia will also be celebrated at the National Library via KaalaChakra from 17 November 2007 for a period of 6 months. KaalaChakra will be jointly organised with several international stakeholders such as museums, libraries and universities who have provided exhibits like artifacts, archaeological and inscriptional evidences.
The Indianization of Southeast Asia
February 22nd, 2008
Highlights from this fascinating exhibition.
The term 'Indianization' was coined in the early 20th century and was seen as a cultural colonization of Southeast Asia The idea was that Indian princes and merchants would set up colonies and trading posts in Southeast Asia (notably, Suvarnabhumi andSuvarnadvipa) in their desire to build trade with China. In doing so 'converted' local populations into their Indian way of life and religion. Yes, the theory sounds awfully colonial in its thinking, and it fed to another underlying assumption that Southeast Asia was an archaeological backwater compared to the great civilisations of India and China.
Since then however, a more complex, nuanced picture has emerged. As archaeological research for the formation complex societies and polities grew, the evidence points to local cultures adopting and assimilating ideas from India to augment and reinforce existing structures of power. Rather than a one-way replacement of culture, local rulers chose to adopt Indic religions and selectively pick on aspects of this foreign, exotic culture to reinforce their prestige and drawing power as rulers. To that extent Hinduism proposed a world view order with the king-slash-god at the centre, while Buddhism placed the ruler as someone with superior merit and skill.
Since then however, a more complex, nuanced picture has emerged. As archaeological research for the formation complex societies and polities grew, the evidence points to local cultures adopting and assimilating ideas from India to augment and reinforce existing structures of power. Rather than a one-way replacement of culture, local rulers chose to adopt Indic religions and selectively pick on aspects of this foreign, exotic culture to reinforce their prestige and drawing power as rulers. To that extent Hinduism proposed a world view order with the king-slash-god at the centre, while Buddhism placed the ruler as someone with superior merit and skill.
KaalaChakra: The Wheel of Time quite nicely and concisely presents the evidence for the Indianization of Southeast Asia. Like the previous exhibition Aksara: Passage of Malay Scripts, this exhibition gathered some choice exhibits (although some of them replicas) loaned from museums in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and the Netherlands under one roof.
I'm particularly interested in rock art (what I'm working on for my MA research), so I was delighted to find examples of rock art of caves in Thailand featured here. This one is a petroglyph of the universal sound “omâ€, found in a cave in the Songkhla province of Thailand. Its date is unknown, but an educated guess would be the early centuries CE, particularly since it was a cave temple. The site is called Khao Khuha. Interestingly enough, I was told by the organiser of the exhibition surmised that the word, ‘Khuha’ sounds very much like the Tamil word for cave.
Speaking of languages, inscriptions are some of the earliest epigraphic sources of information about Southeast Asia. As Hinduism became the dominant religion among the ruling elite, Sanskrit, the classical language of Indic religions was used, along with Indian scripts that were adapted and evolved into local tongues today.
There are also a few exhibits that have never been seen outside their home country, such as this inscription from Wat Pra Mahathat, from Nakhon Si Thammarat in Southern Thailand. (It’s the stone with the two holes on it.) The inscription, written in a Tamil-Grantha and an unknown, non-Indian script, it is as yet untranslated and the National Library is currently inviting researchers to study it.
KaalaChakra: The Wheel of Time is on at the 10th floor of the Lee Kong Chian library at Victoria Street until May 2008. Special thanks to the National Library Board for the kind permission to take photographs of this exhibition.
Find our more about the Indianization of Southeast Asia in:
– The Dvaravati Wheels of the Law and the Indianization of South East Asia by R. L. Brown![]()
– (Sri) Dvaravati: The initial phase of Siam’s history![]()
– Early Cultures of Mainland Southeast Asia![]()
– Early Civilizations of Southeast Asia by D. J. W. O’Reilly![]()
– Classical Civilizations of South-East Asia: Key Papers from SOAS by V. Braginsky![]()
– The Indianized States of Southeast Asia by G. Coedes![]()
– Monuments of India and the Indianized States: The Plans of Major and Notable Temples, Tombs, Palaces and Pavilions, South-East Asia by F. W. Bunce
Find our more about the Indianization of Southeast Asia in:
– The Dvaravati Wheels of the Law and the Indianization of South East Asia by R. L. Brown
– (Sri) Dvaravati: The initial phase of Siam’s history
– Early Cultures of Mainland Southeast Asia
– Early Civilizations of Southeast Asia by D. J. W. O’Reilly
– Classical Civilizations of South-East Asia: Key Papers from SOAS by V. Braginsky
– The Indianized States of Southeast Asia by G. Coedes
– Monuments of India and the Indianized States: The Plans of Major and Notable Temples, Tombs, Palaces and Pavilions, South-East Asia by F. W. Bunce
29 Feb 2008
Public Lecture: KaalaChakra 'Wheel of Time’: An Archaeological Trail of Early Indian Influence in Southeast Asia
From the National Library of Singapore:
By: Associate Professor (A/P) John Miksic from the National University of Singapore’s Department of Southeast Asian Studies]
By: Associate Professor (A/P) John Miksic from the National University of Singapore’s Department of Southeast Asian Studies]
Date/Time : 29 Feb 2008, 7pm
Venue: National Library of Singapore, 100 Victoria Street, Visitors’ briefing room
Venue: National Library of Singapore, 100 Victoria Street, Visitors’ briefing room
If a person desires to relive the memories from ancient history, it will be impossible to ignore the importance of evidence based on archaeological research. The KaalaChakra exhibition at Level 10 of the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library showcases some artefacts, archaeological and inscriptional evidences which embark us on backward journey into time.
Come and be amazed by Associate Professor (A/P) John Miksic from the National University of Singapore's Department of Southeast Asian Studies as he takes us through an explorative journey of archaeological traces in Southeast Asia that early Indians left behind in the region! In his talk, A/P Miksic will also touch on architectural influence in some of Southeast Asian temples, such as Angkor Wat in Cambodia, which evidence the ancient Indian touch in this part of Asia.
Come and be amazed by Associate Professor (A/P) John Miksic from the National University of Singapore's Department of Southeast Asian Studies as he takes us through an explorative journey of archaeological traces in Southeast Asia that early Indians left behind in the region! In his talk, A/P Miksic will also touch on architectural influence in some of Southeast Asian temples, such as Angkor Wat in Cambodia, which evidence the ancient Indian touch in this part of Asia.
A/P John Miksic first arrived in Singapore in 1968 while in the Peace Corps in Kedah, Malaysia He has spent most of his life in Southeast Asia, namely Malaysia Indonesia and Singapore. A/P Miksic has had two types of careers: the first being a rural development adviser, the other as an archaeologist and lecturer.
His main activity over the past 20 years has been archaeological research in Singapore. He also continues research projects in Indonesia, particularly Java and Sumatra. In recent years, A/P Miksic also become deeply involved in Cambodia, especially the period leading to the foundation of Angkor, coupled with some work with graduate students on Myanmar.
His main activity over the past 20 years has been archaeological research in Singapore. He also continues research projects in Indonesia, particularly Java and Sumatra. In recent years, A/P Miksic also become deeply involved in Cambodia, especially the period leading to the foundation of Angkor, coupled with some work with graduate students on Myanmar.
A/P Miksic's academic qualifications encompass a Ph.D. in Anthropology (Cornell University), M.A. Anthropology (Cornell University), an M.A. International Affairs (Ohio University) and B.A. Anthropology (Dartmouth College)