Rise of the Srivijaya Empire

Timeline

1. 650–670Palembang, lower Musi River · IndonesiaThe Srivijaya polity established a port capital in the Musi River delta of southeastern Sumatra, integrating local chieftain powers; starting from controlling anchorage and supply along monsoon routes, it gradually monopolized the right to levy trade duties in the strait.
2. 670–685West coast of the Malay Peninsula · MalaysiaSrivijaya's power expanded westward, forcing ports along the Malay Peninsula coast to acknowledge its suzerainty and pay tribute, making the Strait of Malacca shipping lanes its financial and strategic lifeline; foreign merchant ships had to pay duties at its ports in exchange for safe passage.
3. 685–700Srivijaya capital · IndonesiaSrivijaya vigorously patronized Mahayana Buddhism, attracting monks from India and mainland Southeast Asia to reside there, using Sanskrit inscriptions and temple networks to display the legitimacy of royal authority; by the late 7th century its influence extended across northern Java and parts of Champa's ports, making it the core hub of the Indian Ocean–South China Sea trade system.