These inscriptions were written in Sanskrit (the liturgical language of Hinduism) using the Pallava script, a script developed in Southern India around the third century AD. The earliest inscriptions found in the archipelago are known as the Kutai-inscriptions and originate from East Kalimantan, dated around 375 AD when the Kutai Martadipura kingdom ruled.

The Impact of Hinduism and Buddhism on Indonesia As most of the eastern part of the archipelago has been on the fringes of economic activity throughout history (located further away from main trade routes), it consequently has been on the fringes of politics as well a situation that actually continues up to the present day! These two approaches provide information regarding the old political structures as both literature and the construction of temples were samples of high culture reserved for the ruling elites.Ī remarkable matter related to the earliest history of Indonesia is that it generally centers on the western part of the archipelago (in particular on the islands of Sumatra and Java).

It is assumed that most writings were done on perishable material and - in combination with the tropical humid climate and low-quality conservation technique standards at the time - it means that historians have to rely on inscriptions on stone and the study of remnants of ancient temples to trace the archipelago's earliest history. As few written sources dating from before 500 AD have been preserved, the history of present Indonesia starts rather late. The existence and availability of written sources is what separates history from prehistory. But the more global these trade networks in the archipelago became, the more foreign influences managed to enter a development that would eventually lead to the colonial state. Being connected to trade networks was an important asset for an empire to acquire wealth and commodities, necessary to become a powerful force. Integrated trade networks, however, were developing in this area starting from the early dawn of Asian history.

Java sumatra