Summary:
There is a large amount of evidence indicating that Indianisation left a large impact on Southeast Asia and contributed to giving it a unique identity.
Firstly, it introduced the concept of the Mandala to Southeast Asia. While mainly used as a religious construct in India, Southeast Asia adapted it to a political construct. It allowed the polities in SEA to be defined by their centres rather than their boundaries.
Secondly, it spread the religions of Buddhism and Hinduism to Southeast Asia. The locals also added their own animistic practices and traditional customs, giving it a unique brand. The large following and the great number of temples built in the Khmer Empire give evidence that the Indian influence in the region was extremely strong and pervasive.
Lastly, the monumental temple of Angkor Wat gives the physical evidence of the strength of religious Indian influence in the Khmer Empire. Futhermore, the epics and mythology depicted on its walls as well as the plan and layout of the temple indicate that Indian influence was also seen in other areas such as literature and the Mandala concept.
In conclusion, the Indian influence in Southeast Asia and the Khmer empire was indeed extremely strong and pervasive. Furthermore, it allowed Southeast Asia to form a unique identity by adapting the mandala as a political structure and also adapting the religions introduced to it.
Firstly, it introduced the concept of the Mandala to Southeast Asia. While mainly used as a religious construct in India, Southeast Asia adapted it to a political construct. It allowed the polities in SEA to be defined by their centres rather than their boundaries.
Secondly, it spread the religions of Buddhism and Hinduism to Southeast Asia. The locals also added their own animistic practices and traditional customs, giving it a unique brand. The large following and the great number of temples built in the Khmer Empire give evidence that the Indian influence in the region was extremely strong and pervasive.
Lastly, the monumental temple of Angkor Wat gives the physical evidence of the strength of religious Indian influence in the Khmer Empire. Futhermore, the epics and mythology depicted on its walls as well as the plan and layout of the temple indicate that Indian influence was also seen in other areas such as literature and the Mandala concept.
In conclusion, the Indian influence in Southeast Asia and the Khmer empire was indeed extremely strong and pervasive. Furthermore, it allowed Southeast Asia to form a unique identity by adapting the mandala as a political structure and also adapting the religions introduced to it.