Encyclopedia/3. History, Societies & Civilizations/11. Pre-Modern & Modern History • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
This timeline covers the rise and fall of the Srivijaya and Majapahit empires in Southeast Asia, highlighting key political, cultural, and economic milestones from the 7th to the 16th centuries.
Chronological Storyline (32 Milestones)
671 CE
I-Tsing Visits Srivijaya
Chinese Buddhist monk I-Tsing stops in Srivijaya on his way to India, noting it as a center of Buddhist learning. This marks the earliest known record of Srivijaya's prominence. #Srivijaya #Buddhism #History
I-Tsing Visits Srivijaya By User:L joo - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Yi_Jing.JPG, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=798597
683 CE
Kedukan Bukit Inscription
The earliest known inscription in Old Malay, found at Kedukan Bukit in Palembang, records the founding of Srivijaya by Dapunta Hyang Sri Jayanasa. It marks the beginning of the Srivijayan empire. #Srivijaya #Inscription #History
Kedukan Bukit Inscription By Gunawan Kartapranata - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=64365346
775 CE
Ligor Inscription
The Ligor inscription in the Malay Peninsula records the Srivijayan king's dedication of a Buddhist monastery. It demonstrates Srivijaya's influence over the peninsula. #Srivijaya #Buddhism #History
860 CE
Nalanda Inscription
A copper-plate inscription from Nalanda, India, records a grant by a Srivijayan king for a monastery. It highlights Srivijaya's diplomatic and religious ties with India. #Srivijaya #Buddhism #Diplomacy
990 CE
Srivijaya Attacks Java
Srivijaya launches a naval attack against the Javanese kingdom of Mataram. This conflict marks the beginning of Srivijaya's rivalry with Javanese powers. #Srivijaya #War #History
Srivijaya Attacks Java By Gunawan Kartapranata - Own work by uploader,redrawed from Munoz "Early Kingdoms of the Indonesian Archipelago and the Malay Peninsula" page 128, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7662386
1006 CE
Srivijaya Raids Kedah
Srivijaya raids the Kedah region on the Malay Peninsula, asserting control over trade routes. This event underscores Srivijaya's maritime dominance. #Srivijaya #Trade #History
1025 CE
Chola Invasion of Srivijaya
The Chola Empire of South India invades Srivijaya, capturing its capital and weakening its power. This marks a major turning point in Srivijaya's decline. #Srivijaya #Chola #Invasion
Chola Invasion of Srivijaya By Nikel3012 - Map showing the extent of the Chola empire during Rajendra Chola I (c. 1030 CE) per http://cw.routledge.com/textbooks/9780415485432/15.asp "THE CŌḶAS" by K. A. Nilakanta Sastri and other histories of South Asia consulted. The file has several changes from the original. The map is corrected to show areas of influence and direct control in Sri Lanka. Correction was based on the work of Spencer, G. (1976). The Politics of Plunder: The Cholas in Eleventh-Century Ceylon. The Journal of Asian Studies, 35(3), 405-419. doi:10.2307/2053272. The correction about the Chola influence in Malay areas is based on https://archive.org/details/earlykingdomsofi0000muno/page/118/mode/2up The influence added the area of Lamuri based on the Tanjore inscription. Andaman is deleted leaving only Nicobar (information on Tanjore inscription)., CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=150869169
1088 CE
Srivijaya Sends Tribute to China
Srivijaya sends a tribute mission to the Song dynasty of China, seeking protection. This reflects Srivijaya's continued but diminished influence. #Srivijaya #China #Tribute
1183 CE
Srivijaya's Last Inscription
The Padang Roco inscription in Sumatra mentions a Srivijayan king. It is one of the last records of the empire before its decline. #Srivijaya #Inscription #History
Srivijaya's Last Inscription By Gunawan Kartapranata - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12118925
1225 CE
Zhao Rukuo's Description of Srivijaya
Chinese official Zhao Rukuo writes about Srivijaya in his work 'Zhu Fan Zhi', describing it as a wealthy trading state. This provides valuable historical insight. #Srivijaya #China #Trade
1292 CE
Marco Polo Visits Sumatra
Marco Polo stops in northern Sumatra on his return from China, noting the presence of Muslim communities. This indicates the spread of Islam in the region. #Sumatra #Islam #Travel
Marco Polo Visits Sumatra By Unknown author - The Description of the World, Moule & Pelliot, 1938, dont la source est le frontispice en noir et blanc de la 1e édition allemande du Livre de Marco Polo (Nuremberg, 1477)., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=194214365
1293 CE
Founding of Majapahit
Raden Wijaya establishes the Majapahit Empire in eastern Java, with its capital at Trowulan. This marks the beginning of a powerful Hindu-Buddhist empire. #Majapahit #Founding #History
Founding of Majapahit By source: BP47Dhorifah, svg: Puck04 - JPG file made/uploaded by user BP47Dhorifah, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=109193537
1293 CE
Mongol Invasion of Java
The Mongol Yuan dynasty invades Java, but is repelled by Raden Wijaya. This event leads to the founding of the Majapahit Empire. #Majapahit #Mongol #Invasion
Mongol Invasion of Java By Akinneyfluorse - Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=153053810
1328 CE
Tribhuwana Wijayatunggadewi Becomes Queen
Tribhuwana becomes the third monarch of Majapahit, ruling as queen. Her reign strengthens the empire's internal stability. #Majapahit #Queen #History
Tribhuwana Wijayatunggadewi Becomes Queen By Gunawan Kartapranata - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12078154
1331 CE
Gajah Mada Appointed Prime Minister
Gajah Mada becomes the prime minister (mahapatih) of Majapahit under Queen Tribhuwana. He takes the Sumpah Palapa oath to unify the archipelago. #Majapahit #GajahMada #Oath
Gajah Mada Appointed Prime Minister By Gunawan Kartapranata - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=167937180
1347 CE
Majapahit Conquest of Bali
Majapahit forces under Gajah Mada conquer Bali, incorporating it into the empire. This expands Majapahit's influence eastward. #Majapahit #Bali #Conquest
1350 CE
Hayam Wuruk Becomes King
Hayam Wuruk ascends the throne of Majapahit at age 16, with Gajah Mada as prime minister. His reign marks the golden age of the empire. #Majapahit #HayamWuruk #GoldenAge
1357 CE
Battle of Bubat
The Sunda Kingdom's royal family is massacred at Bubat during a marriage negotiation with Majapahit. This event strains relations between Sunda and Majapahit. #Majapahit #Sunda #Battle
Battle of Bubat By Historian128 - Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=160078163
1365 CE
Nagarakretagama Composed
The Javanese poem Nagarakretagama is written, describing Majapahit's territories and grandeur. It is a key historical source for the empire. #Majapahit #Literature #History
Nagarakretagama Composed By Unknown author - http://library.lontar.org/gdl.php?mod=browse&op=read&id=jkpklontar-ldl-img-135, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28939126
1377 CE
Majapahit Expedition to Palembang
Majapahit sends a naval expedition to Palembang, the former Srivijayan capital, to assert control. This marks the end of Srivijaya's remnants. #Majapahit #Srivijaya #Expedition
1389 CE
Death of Hayam Wuruk
King Hayam Wuruk dies, leading to a succession crisis. His death marks the beginning of Majapahit's gradual decline. #Majapahit #Decline #History
1400 CE
Rise of Malacca Sultanate
Parameswara, a fleeing prince from Srivijaya, founds the Malacca Sultanate. This new state becomes a major trading center and Islamic power. #Malacca #Islam #Trade
Rise of Malacca Sultanate By Gunawan Kartapranata - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16975908
1405 CE
Zheng He Visits Majapahit
Chinese admiral Zheng He visits Java during his maritime expeditions, strengthening diplomatic ties. This reflects Majapahit's continued importance. #Majapahit #China #Exploration
Zheng He Visits Majapahit By Marcin Konsek - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51927875
1429 CE
Death of Wikramawardhana
Majapahit King Wikramawardhana dies, leading to internal strife. The empire weakens due to succession disputes. #Majapahit #Decline #History
1447 CE
Kertawijaya Becomes King
Kertawijaya ascends the throne of Majapahit, but his reign is marked by instability. The empire continues to fragment. #Majapahit #History
1468 CE
Singhawikramawardhana's Reign
Singhawikramawardhana becomes king, but his rule is challenged by a rebellion. Majapahit's power wanes further. #Majapahit #Rebellion
1478 CE
Fall of Majapahit Capital
The Majapahit capital Trowulan is sacked by the rising Demak Sultanate. This event traditionally marks the end of the Majapahit Empire. #Majapahit #Fall #History
Fall of Majapahit Capital By Ivuvisual - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=110821735
1486 CE
Last Majapahit King
Girindrawardhana, the last known king of Majapahit, rules briefly. The empire dissolves into smaller states. #Majapahit #End
1498 CE
Portuguese Reach Malacca
Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama reaches India, opening the way for European colonization. This foreshadows the end of regional empires. #Portugal #Exploration #Colonialism
Portuguese Reach Malacca By Sailko - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61575307
1511 CE
Portuguese Capture of Malacca
The Portuguese capture the Malacca Sultanate, establishing a colonial foothold. This marks the beginning of European dominance in Southeast Asia. #Malacca #Portugal #Colonialism
Portuguese Capture of Malacca By Ernesto Ferreira Condeixa - Cabral Moncada Leilões, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=53903539
1527 CE
Demak Conquest of Majapahit Remnants
The Demak Sultanate, led by Raden Patah, conquers the remaining Majapahit territories. This ends the last vestiges of the empire. #Demak #Majapahit #Islam
Demak Conquest of Majapahit Remnants By Mhatopzz - Derivative work from User:Rachmat04, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=146277740
1596 CE
First Dutch Voyage to Indonesia
The first Dutch expedition reaches Indonesia, beginning Dutch colonial involvement. This eventually leads to the Dutch East Indies. #Dutch #Colonialism #Indonesia
First Dutch Voyage to Indonesia By Himasaram - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2397508