The Brahmin Theory
This theory claims that the Brahmins, the priests, were mainly responsible for the spread of Indian culture throughout Southeast Asia.
As said in the previous theory, the Vaishya Theory, a certain amount of power and authority was required for such a deep pervasion of the Indian culture. The Brahmins were the highest level in the caste system, deeply knowledgeable on the concepts of the political system and the religious system and thus able to spread these concepts to the countries and local communities in Southeast Asia. Furthermore, as they were the highest caste, it is likely that the local rulers themselves would have welcomed and respected their presence. The Brahmins interacted with the local rulers, becoming counsellors in court and legitimising the local rulers by giving them a sort of genealogical list, supporting them politically. Additionally, they were knowledgeable in the concepts of the cosmic universe, which would have intrigued the locals with its mystique, as the majority of the locals then practiced animism and was greatly curious about the spirits around them. It is not a far leap to assume that the Brahmins could easily influence the rulers and the community with the Indian culture. |
Theory Debunked
The Brahmins were the top of the caste, with power and authority. It would make sense for them to have want to preserve their higher standing by introducing the caste system in Southeast Asia. However, majority of Southeast Asia does not have a caste system, which is one of the major differences between the region and India. It is unlikely for the Brahmins to have wanted to give up their higher standing and thus, it is unlikely for them to have been the carrier for Indianisation.