What is the Kshatriya Theory?
The Kshatriya Theory is the theory that the spread of Indian culture through Southeast Asia was through the Kshatriyas, the warrior caste, armed colonisation. This theory came about as there were those who thought that such a strong pervasion of a foreign culture in Southeast Asia could not have been achieved through peaceful means, and had required military force, which India had in great strength. The spread of Indian culture in Southeast Asia had indeed been extremely strong, with many of the major empires in the region picking up the religions, practices and traditions. It is reasonable to believe that it a large amount of power and force was required for such deep pervasion. |
Theory Debunked
While there was a deep pervasion and intensive orientation toward the Indian model, the Indian presence in Southeast Asia is not strong enough to support this theory. If the Indian culture had been spread through Southeast Asia via military force, there would be a larger amount of the culture in our practices and traditions today. Many people would have Indian names, would practice more traditional customs, and would have more Indian beliefs.
However, this is not true of Southeast Asia. SEA remains extremely diverse, with a wide range of religions and traditions practised here. Even in countries with Hinduism or Buddhism as a main or major religion, the traditional practices and religious customs have been adapted. Many also do not give up their pre-Indianised customs.
For example, while Hinduism is still a major religion in Bali, the form worshipped is Agama Hindu Dharma. It is an extremely unique form of Hinduism as it also includes local animism, which is not part of the traditional Hindu culture. They have extremely especial festivals and customs associated with local spirits and animal sacrifices, which are uncommon in traditional Indian Hindu culture. It is thus evident that the Indian culture spread to SEA was adapted by locals. The religion found in SEA may be syncretic in nature, mixed with various local traditions.
Military colonisation would not have allowed the locals to have altered the traditional state of the Indian cultures to this extent. Therefore, it can be said that Indianisation most probably was not carried out by the Kshatriyas, debunking this theory.
Read on to find out more about the next theory, the Vaishya Theory.
However, this is not true of Southeast Asia. SEA remains extremely diverse, with a wide range of religions and traditions practised here. Even in countries with Hinduism or Buddhism as a main or major religion, the traditional practices and religious customs have been adapted. Many also do not give up their pre-Indianised customs.
For example, while Hinduism is still a major religion in Bali, the form worshipped is Agama Hindu Dharma. It is an extremely unique form of Hinduism as it also includes local animism, which is not part of the traditional Hindu culture. They have extremely especial festivals and customs associated with local spirits and animal sacrifices, which are uncommon in traditional Indian Hindu culture. It is thus evident that the Indian culture spread to SEA was adapted by locals. The religion found in SEA may be syncretic in nature, mixed with various local traditions.
Military colonisation would not have allowed the locals to have altered the traditional state of the Indian cultures to this extent. Therefore, it can be said that Indianisation most probably was not carried out by the Kshatriyas, debunking this theory.
Read on to find out more about the next theory, the Vaishya Theory.