Srivijayan conquest of Kedah

Srivijayan invasion of Malay Peninsula
Part of the Srivijayan expansion

Territorial evolution of Srivijaya Empire
Datec. 682–685 CE
Location
Kedah, Malay Peninsula, and surrounding regions
Result Srivijayan victory
Territorial
changes
Malay Peninsula were annexed by the Srivijaya
Belligerents
Srivijaya Empire Old Kedah Kingdom
Melayu Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
Dapunta Hyang Sri Jayanasa unknown king of Kedah  
Strength
Large fleet of warships
Thousands of soldiers (estimated)
Maritime logistical support
Local militias
Small naval defenses

The Srivijayan conquest of Kedah, also referred to as the Srivijayan invasion of Kedah was a military campaign launched by Srivijaya to conquer Kedah and capture strategic trading centers in the Strait of Malacca.

Background

Srivijaya was founded in Kota Kapur and became Palembang (the oldest city in Indonesia). However, their position was influenced by Kedah and Melayu. Srivijaya was a centre of Buddhism on Nusantara. Leaders planned to invade Kedah and conquer the Malay Peninsula.[1]

Conquest

In 682 CE, Srivijayan fleets launched raids at Malacca strait. Many Kedahan ships were destroyed or suffered heavy damage.[2] After raiding Kedah fleets, they started to invade Kedah.[3] Srivijayan forces plundered the town of Kedah, capturing many weapons, and destroyed local parties' headquarters in Kedah. The King of Kedah decided to surrender as many of his forces suffered heavy casualties.[4]

Aftermath

Following the conclusion of the conquest, a wave of immigration took place, resulting in the establishment of Malay settlements throughout the peninsula from Sumatra.[5] The enslavement of Negrito tribes commenced as early as 724 CE, during the early contact of the Malay Srivijaya empire.[6][7] During this period, the Srivijaya king appointed Malay leaders to govern Kedah, replacing the previous rulers. The conquest gained many territories and maintained many strategic ports. Srivijaya positions were strengthened and marked the rise of the Shailendra dynasty, unifying Medang Kingdom and Srivijaya. It also led to the great war against the Javanese kingdom of Mataram.[8]

References

  1. ^ Widya, Lestari (2021-04-09). "Wilayah Kekuasaan Sriwijaya". kompas.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2025-01-20.
  2. ^ "Kerajaan Sriwijaya (Abad Ke 7-14 Masehi)". abisheva.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2025-01-20.
  3. ^ Muallif (2023-08-10). "Kerajaan Sriwijaya: Sejarah, Letak, Raja-raja, Masa Kejayaannya, Hingga Peninggalannya". an-nur.ac.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2025-01-20.
  4. ^ Nabil, Adlani (2022-10-11). "6 Daerah Kekuasaaan Sriwijaya". adjar.grid.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2025-01-20.
  5. ^ "พระราชพงษาวดาร รัชกาลที่ 2 ตอน 68 เรื่องตีเมืองไทรบุรี". Vajirayana.org.
  6. ^ Colin Nicholas (1997). "The Orang Asli of Peninsula Malaysia". Magick River. Retrieved 2016-12-22.
  7. ^ "Malaysia - Orang Asli". Minority Rights Group International. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  8. ^ "Kerajaan Sriwijaya, Awal Berdiri, Para Raja dan Peninggalan". sampoernaacademy.sch.id (in Indonesian). 2022-04-17. Retrieved 2025-01-20.

Further reading