What is The Vaishya Theory?
The Vaishya Theory is the theory that Indian culture was spread through Southeast Asia by the Vaishya caste, the merchants.
As can be seen in the debunking of the previous theory, the Kshatriya Theory, the diversity of the current Southeast Asia and the adaptation of tradition Indian culture indicates that the propagation of the Indian culture was through peaceful means rather than that of force. This theory claims that Indianisation was via the merchants and traders, who married local women and won over the locals with their wares and culture. There was absorption of some of the Indian culture by the locals. This presupposed theory allows for the adaptation of the culture, with less strict enforcement as compared to the Kshatriya Theory. Trade was also an important factor in the region. The merchants would travel all around Southeast Asia, selling their goods, allowing them to come into contact with many of the countries- from Vietnam to Indonesia. Take a look at this map showing some of the trade routes in SEA: |
Theory Debunked
Southeast Asia does not only have hints of Indian cultures and traditions- there is also signed of the region having picked up the foreign political structure, and worldly concepts such as the cosmic universe.
The Vaishyas were the second-lowest class in the Indian caste system, considered the commoners of the community.
They are deemed not to be knowledgeable enough to be able to spread such ideals and concepts to the locals. Furthermore, as they were of such a low caste level, it would have been near impossible for them to have influenced the community, including the local rulers, to such an extent. They would not hold such a large amount of power and authority as to be able to influence the locals to pick up the Indian customs and traditions, much less convert to the Indian religions or adapt a foreign political system. As such, it was deemed unlikely for the Vaishyas to have been responsible for the spread of the Indian culture. |
Read on to find out about the Brahmin Theory!