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Southeast Asian Srivijaya & Majapahit Empires

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
First Dutch Voyage to Indonesia
By Himasaram - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2397508