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Srivijaya was a land-based empire primarily centered on the island of Java.
Answer: False
Explanation: The historical consensus identifies Srivijaya as a maritime empire primarily based on the island of Sumatra, not Java.
There is no evidence suggesting Srivijayan navigators reached as far as Madagascar.
Answer: False
Explanation: Linguistic and genetic studies suggest potential Srivijayan voyages to Madagascar between the 9th and 12th centuries, indicating Indonesian origins for some Malagasy populations.
What was the primary geographical base of the Srivijayan empire?
Answer: The island of Sumatra, controlling key maritime routes.
Explanation: The Srivijayan empire was primarily centered on the island of Sumatra, a strategic location that facilitated its control over crucial maritime trade routes.
According to Sanskrit origins, what does the name 'Srivijaya' likely mean?
Answer: Shining Victory or Glorious Triumph
Explanation: Derived from Sanskrit, the name 'Srivijaya' is commonly interpreted as 'Shining Victory' or 'Glorious Triumph,' reflecting concepts of prosperity and excellence.
What is one of the debated locations for Srivijaya's capital, proposed by scholars like Soekmono?
Answer: The Kampar River system in Riau.
Explanation: Scholarly debate exists regarding Srivijaya's capital; Professor Soekmono, for instance, proposed the Kampar River system in Riau as a potential location, challenging the traditional identification with Palembang.
What type of evidence suggests potential Srivijayan navigators reached Madagascar between the 9th and 12th centuries?
Answer: Linguistic and genetic studies indicating Indonesian settlers.
Explanation: Evidence suggesting potential Srivijayan voyages to Madagascar between the 9th and 12th centuries stems primarily from linguistic and genetic analyses, which indicate Indonesian origins for some Malagasy populations, supported by the presence of Sanskrit loanwords.
Srivijaya's economy was largely based on agricultural surplus from its fertile hinterland.
Answer: False
Explanation: Srivijaya's economy was predominantly driven by maritime trade and its role as an entrepôt, rather than solely by agricultural surplus from its hinterland.
The Srivijayan maritime fleet was primarily used for defensive purposes and protecting coastal settlements.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Srivijayan maritime fleet served a crucial role in projecting imperial power across vital waterways, regulating trade, and ensuring the security of its commercial interests, functioning effectively as an instrument of state policy.
Srivijaya primarily traded in weapons and military equipment.
Answer: False
Explanation: Srivijaya functioned as a major entrepôt for a wide range of commodities, including spices, camphor, ivory, tin, and gold, rather than primarily trading in weapons.
The argument for Srivijaya being a thalassocracy is based on its control over land-based agricultural territories.
Answer: False
Explanation: The characterization of Srivijaya as a thalassocracy is primarily based on its control over maritime trade routes and sea power, not land-based agricultural territories.
Srivijaya's control over the Malacca and Sunda Straits was insignificant for its economic prosperity.
Answer: False
Explanation: Srivijaya's control over the Malacca and Sunda Straits was economically vital, enabling it to dominate trade routes and accumulate significant wealth.
Srivijaya's economic success was primarily due to its control over inland river systems, not maritime trade.
Answer: False
Explanation: Srivijaya's economic success was principally propelled by its command over interregional and international maritime trade routes, rather than solely by control over inland river systems.
The 'riverine system model' suggests Srivijaya controlled trade by dominating coastal ports rather than inland river access.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'riverine system model' posits that Srivijaya's dominance was maintained by controlling major river systems and their outlets, thereby managing inland trade flows.
The debate around Srivijayan native goods centers on whether items like camphor and spices were genuinely produced there or merely accumulated through trade.
Answer: True
Explanation: Scholarly debate exists regarding Srivijayan native goods, questioning whether commodities like camphor and spices were exclusively produced locally or acquired through extensive trade networks.
Srivijaya's navy was considered more powerful and offensive than those of contemporary Javanese kingdoms.
Answer: False
Explanation: Evidence suggests Srivijaya's navy primarily served a logistical role and was comparatively less powerful than those of contemporary powers like Java and the Cholas.
Srivijaya's economic model was significantly characterized by:
Answer: Control over maritime trade routes and prestige goods.
Explanation: Srivijaya's economic model was fundamentally shaped by its strategic control over key maritime trade routes, enabling it to function as an entrepôt for prestige goods and transforming its economy into one heavily reliant on regional and international commerce.
What was a primary function of Srivijaya's powerful maritime fleet?
Answer: Projecting power across strategic waterways and regulating trade.
Explanation: The Srivijayan maritime fleet served as a principal instrument for projecting imperial power across strategic waterways, regulating trade, and ensuring the security of its commercial interests, functioning effectively as an instrument of state policy.
Which of the following was a major commodity traded through Srivijaya?
Answer: Spices like cloves and nutmeg
Explanation: Srivijaya served as a crucial entrepôt for numerous commodities, prominently including spices such as cloves and nutmeg, alongside other valuable goods like camphor, tin, and gold.
The argument that Srivijaya was a thalassocracy primarily rests on its:
Answer: Dominance over transoceanic trade routes.
Explanation: The characterization of Srivijaya as a thalassocracy is primarily based on its demonstrable control over critical transoceanic trade routes, particularly the Strait of Malacca, rather than extensive land-based power.
Why was Srivijaya's control over the Malacca and Sunda Straits economically vital?
Answer: It enabled them to dominate the spice route traffic and charge tolls.
Explanation: Srivijaya's strategic control over the Malacca and Sunda Straits was economically vital, enabling the empire to dominate the lucrative spice route traffic between India and China and levy tolls, thereby generating substantial wealth.
The 'riverine system model' suggests Srivijaya's dominance was maintained by controlling:
Answer: River systems and their mouths for trade flow.
Explanation: The 'riverine system model' posits that Srivijaya's dominance was primarily established and maintained through the control of major river systems and their outlets, thereby regulating the flow of goods from inland territories and managing trade along the Malacca Strait.
Which of the following commodities was likely accumulated by Srivijaya through trade rather than being exclusively native?
Answer: Camphor
Explanation: Scholarly debate suggests that certain commodities, such as camphor, aloes, and sandalwood, while frequently associated with Srivijaya, were likely accumulated through extensive trade networks rather than being exclusively native products.
The statement that Srivijaya was a 'thalassocracy' implies its power was primarily based on:
Answer: Control of sea power and maritime trade.
Explanation: The term 'thalassocracy' implies that Srivijaya's power and influence were predominantly derived from its mastery of sea power and its control over maritime trade routes.
Scholars universally agree that Palembang was the undisputed, sole capital of Srivijaya throughout its existence.
Answer: False
Explanation: Scholarly debate exists regarding Srivijaya's capital; while Palembang is often cited, alternative locations have been proposed, and its status as the sole capital throughout its existence is not universally agreed upon.
Srivijaya expanded its influence primarily through diplomatic negotiations and cultural exchange.
Answer: False
Explanation: Srivijaya's expansion was primarily achieved through maritime conquests and establishing suzerainty over port cities, leveraging its naval power, rather than solely through diplomacy and cultural exchange.
Srivijaya operated under a highly centralized, bureaucratic government structure similar to modern nation-states.
Answer: False
Explanation: Srivijaya's political structure is best described as a 'mandala model,' a confederation of semi-autonomous polities, rather than a highly centralized, modern-style bureaucracy.
Srivijaya maintained control over regional polities solely through military force and intimidation.
Answer: False
Explanation: Srivijaya managed its relations through a combination of alliances, fealty, wealth redistribution ('ritual policy'), and dynastic marriages, alongside military coercion.
Srivijaya's political structure, described as a 'mandala model,' implied direct administrative control over all its territories.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'mandala model' implies a decentralized structure where tributary polities were linked to a central power without necessarily undergoing direct administrative integration.
How did Srivijaya primarily expand its influence across Southeast Asia?
Answer: By establishing suzerainty over port cities via maritime power.
Explanation: Srivijaya's expansion across Southeast Asia was primarily achieved through the establishment of maritime suzerainty over numerous port cities and polities, leveraging its naval capabilities to control strategic trade routes.
Srivijaya's political structure is best described as a(n):
Answer: Confederation of semi-autonomous port cities (mandala model).
Explanation: Srivijaya's political organization is best characterized as a 'mandala model,' representing a confederation of semi-autonomous port cities and principalities linked by allegiance to a central ruling authority.
How did Srivijaya manage its relationships with numerous regional polities?
Answer: Through a combination of alliances, fealty, and wealth redistribution ('ritual policy').
Explanation: Srivijaya managed its extensive network of regional polities through a sophisticated 'ritual policy' that integrated alliances, the cultivation of fealty among local elites, and the strategic redistribution of wealth, complementing occasional coercive measures.
The decline of the Srivijayan empire was significantly accelerated by naval raids from the Chola Empire of South India.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Chola Empire, based in South India, launched significant naval raids against Srivijaya commencing around 1025 AD, which critically weakened the empire's dominance and contributed substantially to its eventual decline.
The Sailendra dynasty, based in Central Java, conquered and ruled Srivijaya during the 8th century.
Answer: False
Explanation: Evidence suggests that during the second half of the 8th century, the Sailendra dynasty of Central Java appears to have ruled Srivijaya, rather than conquering it.
The Javanese Mataram kingdom launched a successful invasion of Srivijaya in 990 AD, capturing its capital.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 990 AD invasion by the Javanese Mataram kingdom, while significant, did not result in the capture of Srivijaya's capital and contributed to Mataram's eventual collapse.
The Chola invasion of 1025 AD targeted Srivijaya's inland territories, leaving its ports largely unaffected.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Chola invasion of 1025 AD primarily targeted Srivijaya's key ports, including Palembang and Kedah, significantly weakening its maritime control.
Srivijaya maintained tributary relations only with the Indian Gupta Empire.
Answer: False
Explanation: Srivijaya maintained tributary relations and trade agreements with various powers, including China's Tang and Song dynasties, not exclusively with the Indian Gupta Empire.
Arab writers in the 9th and 10th centuries made no mention of the region where Srivijaya was located.
Answer: False
Explanation: Arab writers of the 9th and 10th centuries described the region potentially including Srivijaya as a wealthy and powerful trading hub.
Chinese historical accounts referred to Srivijaya using names like 'Sanfoqi' and 'Che-li-fo-che'.
Answer: True
Explanation: Chinese historical records from the Tang and Song dynasties frequently refer to Srivijaya using transliterated names such as 'Sanfoqi' or 'Che-li-fo-che'.
The Malay Annals mention a ruler named 'Raja Chulan' who was an ally of Srivijaya.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Malay Annals mention 'Raja Chulan,' believed to refer to Rajendra Chola I, who was an adversary, not an ally, of Srivijaya.
Which empire launched significant raids against Srivijaya after 1025 AD, contributing to its decline?
Answer: The Chola Empire
Explanation: The Chola Empire, based in South India, launched significant naval raids against Srivijaya commencing around 1025 AD, which critically weakened the empire's dominance and contributed substantially to its eventual decline.
During the second half of the eighth century, which dynasty appears to have ruled Srivijaya, according to Arab sources?
Answer: The Sailendra Dynasty
Explanation: According to historical accounts, particularly those from Arab sources, the Sailendra dynasty, originating from Central Java, appears to have held sway over Srivijaya during the latter half of the eighth century.
What was the outcome of the Javanese Mataram kingdom's naval invasion attempt against Srivijaya in 990 AD?
Answer: The invasion led to prolonged conflict and contributed to Mataram's collapse.
Explanation: The naval invasion of Srivijaya by the Javanese Mataram kingdom in 990 AD, though unsuccessful in capturing the capital, precipitated prolonged conflict that significantly contributed to the eventual collapse of the Mataram kingdom.
The Chola invasion led by Rajendra Chola I in 1025 AD primarily targeted which Srivijayan locations?
Answer: The capital city of Palembang and the port of Kedah.
Explanation: The Chola invasion, spearheaded by Rajendra Chola I in 1025 AD, primarily targeted key Srivijayan centers, notably the capital city of Palembang and the important port of Kedah.
Srivijaya's relationship with China's Tang and Song dynasties involved:
Answer: Lucrative trade agreements and tributary relations.
Explanation: Srivijaya cultivated robust relationships with China's Tang and Song dynasties, characterized by lucrative trade agreements and formal tributary missions, which underscored its role as a key intermediary in East Asian commerce.
Arab writers from the 9th and 10th centuries described the region potentially including Srivijaya as:
Answer: A wealthy and powerful trading hub connecting East and West.
Explanation: Arab chroniclers of the 9th and 10th centuries depicted the region encompassing Srivijaya as a prosperous and influential trading nexus, connecting the Middle East with East Asia.
What was the relationship between Srivijaya and the Khmer Empire, particularly concerning Jayavarman II?
Answer: Jayavarman II spent time under Sailendra rule (linked to Srivijaya) before declaring Khmer independence.
Explanation: The Khmer monarch Jayavarman II spent a period in Java, potentially under the suzerainty of the Sailendra dynasty, which was associated with Srivijaya. Upon his return to Cambodia, Jayavarman II declared independence from Javanese influence around 802 AD, thereby founding the Khmer Empire and initiating the Angkorian period, effectively severing ties with the Srivijayan mandala.
The Malay Annals mention 'Raja Chulan,' who is believed to refer to which historical figure known for raiding Srivijaya?
Answer: Rajendra Chola I
Explanation: The figure 'Raja Chulan' mentioned in the Malay Annals is widely identified with Rajendra Chola I, the Chola emperor whose naval expeditions significantly impacted Srivijaya in the early 11th century.
Which of the following best describes the relationship between Srivijaya and the Sailendra dynasty in the 8th century?
Answer: The Sailendra dynasty appears to have ruled Srivijaya.
Explanation: During the latter half of the 8th century, evidence suggests that the Sailendra dynasty, originating from Central Java, exercised authority over Srivijaya, as indicated by contemporary Arab sources.
Old Malay was considered a lesser language compared to Sanskrit within the Srivijayan empire.
Answer: False
Explanation: The use of Old Malay in Srivijayan inscriptions promoted its status as a lingua franca, elevating it to a level comparable to Sanskrit in regional importance.
Srivijayan art shows influences primarily from Roman and Greek artistic traditions.
Answer: False
Explanation: Srivijayan art, particularly Buddhist art, was heavily influenced by the Indian art styles of the Gupta and Pala Empires, not Roman and Greek traditions.
Srivijaya was exclusively a Buddhist empire with no evidence of other religious practices.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Buddhism was dominant, Hinduism was also practiced in Srivijaya, indicating a period of religious coexistence or syncretism.
The 'orang laut' were elite scholars who advised the Srivijayan rulers on maritime law.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'orang laut' were sea peoples crucial for maritime activities and armed forces, not elite scholars advising on maritime law.
The 'Gending Sriwijaya' dance is a modern performance unrelated to the historical Srivijayan era.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Gending Sriwijaya' is a cultural expression inspired by the Srivijayan era, symbolizing regional identity and connection to the empire's historical grandeur.
Srivijaya's influence helped establish Old Malay as a dominant lingua franca across the Malay Archipelago.
Answer: True
Explanation: Through its expansion and trade networks, Srivijaya promoted Old Malay as a lingua franca throughout the Malay Archipelago, contributing to its widespread adoption.
How did Srivijaya contribute to the status of the Old Malay language?
Answer: By promoting it as a lingua franca through trade and inscriptions.
Explanation: Srivijaya significantly elevated the status of the Old Malay language by utilizing it in inscriptions and promoting its use as a lingua franca across the Malay Archipelago, facilitating trade and communication.
Srivijayan Buddhist art was notably influenced by the styles of which Indian empires?
Answer: Gupta and Pala
Explanation: The Buddhist art produced within the Srivijayan sphere of influence exhibits significant stylistic influences derived from the Gupta and Pala Empires of India, as exemplified by artifacts such as the Amaravati-style Buddha statue.
Which statement best describes the religious landscape of Srivijaya?
Answer: Vajrayana Buddhism dominated, but Hinduism was also present.
Explanation: The religious landscape of Srivijaya was characterized by the dominance of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism, which the empire actively promoted, alongside the presence of Hinduism, indicating a period of religious coexistence.
What was the primary role of the 'orang laut' within the Srivijayan empire?
Answer: Sea people crucial for maritime activities and armed forces.
Explanation: The 'orang laut,' or sea peoples, played a pivotal role within the Srivijayan empire, constituting a significant component of its armed forces and being indispensable for its maritime operations and control of strategic waterways.
The 'Gending Sriwijaya' is a cultural expression from Palembang that:
Answer: Is inspired by the Srivijayan era and symbolizes regional identity.
Explanation: The 'Gending Sriwijaya,' a traditional performance from Palembang, draws artistic inspiration from the Srivijayan era, serving as a potent symbol of regional identity and a connection to the historical legacy of the empire.
What role did Srivijaya play in the spread of the Malay language?
Answer: It promoted Old Malay as a lingua franca across the archipelago.
Explanation: Through its extensive trade networks and the use of Old Malay in inscriptions, Srivijaya played a crucial role in promoting the language as a lingua franca throughout the Malay Archipelago.
The earliest known reference to Srivijaya comes from a 10th-century Chinese travelogue.
Answer: False
Explanation: The earliest documented references to Srivijaya originate from the 7th century, notably through the accounts of the Chinese monk Yijing and the Kedukan Bukit inscription from 682 AD, predating 10th-century Chinese travelogues.
George Cœdès was a 19th-century archaeologist who discovered the first Srivijayan inscription.
Answer: False
Explanation: The French scholar George Cœdès formally posited the existence of Srivijaya in the 20th century (1918), synthesizing fragmented evidence rather than discovering the first inscription.
Srivijaya's history is reconstructed solely from archaeological findings within Sumatra.
Answer: False
Explanation: Srivijaya's history is reconstructed from multiple sources, including Chinese historical accounts and Southeast Asian stone inscriptions, not solely from archaeological findings within Sumatra.
The Talang Tuwo inscription is significant for detailing the 'siddhayatra' journey led by Dapunta Hyang Sri Jayanasa.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Talang Tuwo inscription, dated 684 AD, details the 'siddhayatra' journey of Dapunta Hyang Sri Jayanasa, marking a significant event in Srivijayan history.
Archaeological evidence supporting Palembang as a Srivijayan center includes only pottery shards.
Answer: False
Explanation: Archaeological evidence near Palembang supporting its role as a Srivijayan center includes not only pottery shards but also substantial quantities of Chinese ceramics, Indian rouletted ware, and Buddhist statuary.
The 'siddhayatra' journey was primarily a peaceful pilgrimage undertaken for spiritual enlightenment.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'siddhayatra' journey was associated with acquiring wealth, power, and potentially 'magical powers,' often involving military and maritime expeditions, not solely peaceful pilgrimage.
The Ligor inscription suggests Srivijayan influence extended to the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Ligor inscription provides evidence of Srivijayan influence in the northern Malay Peninsula, not the southern tip.
Studying Srivijaya's history is straightforward due to abundant contemporary written records.
Answer: False
Explanation: Studying Srivijaya's history is challenging due to the scarcity of contemporary evidence and its subsequent historical obscurity.
The Telaga Batu inscription provides insights into Srivijaya's administrative and religious practices.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Telaga Batu inscription, dating to the 7th century, offers significant insights into Srivijaya's administrative structures and religious practices.
Which Chinese monk visited Srivijaya in 671 AD and documented his stay?
Answer: Yijing
Explanation: The Chinese Buddhist monk Yijing visited Srivijaya in 671 AD, documenting his stay and providing one of the earliest historical accounts of the empire.
Who is credited with formally postulating the existence of Srivijaya in 1918 by connecting disparate historical references?
Answer: George Cœdès
Explanation: The French scholar George Cœdès is credited with formally re-establishing the historical recognition of Srivijaya in 1918, by synthesizing fragmented Chinese and Southeast Asian textual evidence.
Which of the following is NOT listed as a primary source for reconstructing Srivijaya's history?
Answer: Oral traditions passed down through generations
Explanation: While Chinese historical accounts and Southeast Asian stone inscriptions are considered primary sources for Srivijaya's history, oral traditions are not typically classified as such for this period due to their ephemeral nature and potential for alteration over time.
The Kedukan Bukit inscription, dated 683 AD, is significant because it:
Answer: Marks the establishment and expansion of Srivijaya through a 'siddhayatra' journey.
Explanation: The Kedukan Bukit inscription, dated 683 AD, is significant as it records the 'siddhayatra' journey undertaken by Dapunta Hyang Sri Jayanasa, marking the foundational event and subsequent expansion of the Srivijayan polity.
Which of the following archaeological findings near Palembang supports its role as a Srivijayan center?
Answer: Buddhist statuary and quantities of Chinese ceramics.
Explanation: Archaeological evidence unearthed near Palembang, including substantial quantities of Chinese ceramics and Buddhist statuary, supports its identification as a significant urban and cultural center of the Srivijayan empire.
The 'siddhayatra' journey undertaken by Srivijayan rulers was associated with acquiring:
Answer: Wealth, power, and potentially 'magical powers'.
Explanation: The 'siddhayatra' journey, as documented in Srivijayan inscriptions, was a ritualistic expedition undertaken by rulers to acquire not only wealth and political power but also potentially esoteric 'magical powers,' often involving military and maritime components.
The Ligor inscription provides evidence of Srivijayan influence in which area?
Answer: The northern Malay Peninsula
Explanation: The Ligor inscription serves as evidence of Srivijayan influence extending to the northern Malay Peninsula, documenting the construction of religious sites under Srivijayan authority in that region.
Which factor makes studying Srivijaya's history particularly challenging?
Answer: Lack of archaeological evidence and its historical obscurity.
Explanation: A primary challenge in reconstructing Srivijaya's history lies in the paucity of direct archaeological evidence and the empire's subsequent historical obscurity, which necessitates reliance on fragmented external accounts and interpretations.
Which of the following inscriptions is mentioned as providing insights into Srivijaya's administration, religion, and military activities?
Answer: The Telaga Batu inscription
Explanation: The Telaga Batu inscription, dating to the 7th century, is particularly noted for offering significant insights into Srivijaya's administrative structures, religious practices, and military organization.
What is a key challenge in studying Srivijaya's history mentioned in the text?
Answer: Lack of archaeological evidence and its historical obscurity.
Explanation: A significant challenge in the study of Srivijaya is the paucity of direct archaeological evidence and the empire's subsequent historical obscurity, which necessitates reliance on fragmented external accounts and interpretations.