Thayer Pre-colonial Asia-pacific

Pre-Colonial Influences in the Asia Pacific

Professor Carl Thayer Presentation to Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies Australian Defence College March 10, 2009

Lesson Objectives Understand the key impacts of Sinic, India, Hindu and Muslim influences on shaping the fundamental social order in Asia prior to the entry of colonial powers. Consider how those influences are still fundamental drivers in Asia today.

Outline of Lecture Background Rise of pre-colonial empires in India Indianization of Southeast Asia Formation of Imperial China The Chinese Tribute System The Spread of Islam and Islamic Political Power The Age of Commerce, 1450-1680 Pre-colonial forces as fundamental drivers in the contemporary period

Background Empires first arose in India (321-184 BCE) and China ( 221 BCE-220 CE) Two waves of western colonisation „ „

Iberian Wave (1511-19th Century Forward Movement (1870-)

Broad brush overview South Pacific not included

Pre-Colonial Security Perspectives The ‘state’ (dynasty) was the main actor Security was identified as the security of the dynasty in power Inter-state relations highly personalized Norms (not law) guided state behavior State power rested on population under control War and conquest used as an instrument of state power

1. Pre-colonial Empires in India

Modern India and Mauyra Dynasty (321 BCE –183 CE)

Hinduism World’s oldest religious tradition Indus River civilisation No one founder or single religious text Many sacred texts Many religious schools of belief and gods „

Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti and reincarnations such as Rama and Krishna

Importance of religious rituals Reinforced caste structure

Buddhism (6th Century BCE) Founded by Siddhartha Gautama „

On enlightenment he became the Buddha

One of the world’s oldest religions that spread to embrace most of Asia Reaction to caste structure and Hinduism Scriptures are recollections of Buddha compiled after his death by disciples such as Ananda Theravada and Mahayana two main sects

Gupta Dynasty (250-550 CE) The Golden Age of India Dynasty based on Hinduism Tolerance towards Buddhism Sub-continental focus

Chola Dynasty 9th-13th Century CE

Northern India subjected to repeated invasions by Persians, Greeks, Arabs and Central Asians Moghul Empire (1526-1858 CE) Islam and Hinduism co-existed Note territory to west of Indus River

2. Indianization of Southeast Asia Prolonged process „

Merchants and trading communities, missionaries, pilgrims

Impacted on mainland and island Southeast Asia Southeast Asian courts imported specialists to shore up their legitimacy Buddhism-Hinduism co-mingled and mixed with local beliefs

Prambanan Temple, Java

Srivijaya Empire 10th-11th Century

Majapahit Empire 1293-1527

Khmer Empire 9th-15h Century

Angkor Wat complex

3. Formation of Imperial China Yellow River civilisation Central theme has been unification of Han heartland between Yellow and Yangtze Rivers Invasions by Mongols (1271-1368 CE) and Manchus Gradual expansion over land mass

Warring States 221-206 B.C.

Incorporation of Tibet and other territories

Confucianism Confucius (551-479 BCE) Teaching consolidated by his followers, Mencius’ Analects of Confucius Centrality of Emperor Hierarchical personal obligations Examination system - meritocracy Ideological foundation for Imperial China (221 BCE-199 CE)

Qin Dynasty 221-207 BCE

Han Dynasty 206 BCE-220 CE

Sinification

Ming Dynasty 1368-1644 Strong central government Outward looking Encouraged international trade Voyages of exploration by Admiral Zheng He Revival of tribute system

Ching Dynasty 1644-1911

4. The Chinese Tribute System

Admiral Cheng Ho, 1405-33

Sinitic (Chinese) System World viewed as a single unit China was the Middle Kingdom Emperor had authority over all people under heaven ‘Conquest’ through culture and virtue

No inter-government relations per se No role for international law or cooperation Force used to: „ „

Secure recognition Chastise a state that had strayed from proper rules of conduct

Sinitic System – The Ideal Inequality of nations a fundamental feature Insistence on hierarchy in relations Tributary relations based on personal obligations China recognized as superior

Strong dynasties were expansive China did not interfere in internal affairs Compliant behavior rewarded “Rogue” states chastised or punished

Sinitic System – The Reality Principle of ‘righteous war’ „ China unified by war War and organizing for war mainstays of government Two strategic cultures „ Idealized „ Operational

Korea and Vietnam subjected to periodic invasion Korea seen as a model tributary state Vietnam seen as a noncompliant and rebellious

Indic and Sinitic Systems Non-universal ruler Hereditary noncentralized administration Aggressive interstate behavior, need to prove superiority through manifestation of superior power

Universal Emperor Non-hereditary centralized administration Relatively benign, superiority manifest in cultural terms, superiority not amenable to proof by force of arms

Indic and Sinitic Systems Vague definition of borders Distribution of international political power in form of concentric circles; enemies and friends alternate, closest neighbor primary enemy

Clear notion of own borders but not of barbarian kingdoms Concentric circles representing decreasing cultural influence, hostility greatest from center, neighbors like younger brothers

5. The Spread of Islam and Islamic Political Power

Islamic Sultanates Direct contact with Mecca and Ottoman Caliphate Portugal attacked and seized Malacca Sultanate 1511 Span fought the ‘Moors’ in the Philippines Christian-Muslim conflict discourse of jihad Collision of Christianity and Islam set off violent confrontation Portugal attacked and destroyed Muslim trade in Indian Ocean from late 15th Century

Aid received from Ottoman Empire Indonesian volunteers fought in India

6. The Age of Commerce 1450-1680

Two Trade Networks Combined

Iberian Trade Routes

Pre-colonial Forces as Fundamental Drivers in the Contemporary Period India – role in Non-Aligned Movement „ „

5 Principles of Peaceful Co-existence Member of ARF and EAS

Buddhism plays an important domestic political role in Sri Lanka and Myanmar „

Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam

Hinduism a domestic political issue in India „

briefly emerged in Malaysia in 2007

Pre-colonial Forces as Fundamental Drivers in the Contemporary Period Islamic influences from Middle East „

date to pre-colonial era

Islam plays political role „

„

ethno-nationalist conflicts in Kashmir, southern Thailand, southern Philippines, Xinjiang (China) in domestic politics in Indonesia & Malaysia Introduction of shari’a law re-establishment of Caliphate

Pre-colonial Forces as Fundamental Drivers in the Contemporary Period Expansion of China’s economic and political influence in Southeast Asia „ „

Revival of ‘tribute system’ Ming Dynasty stimulated production for China market

Confucianism „ „

Role in Asian values debate Hu Jin-tao ‘harmony’ and ‘harmonious world’

Pre-colonial Forces as Fundamental Drivers in the Contemporary Period Territorial disputes – pre-colonial origins „ „

South China Sea Cambodia and Preah Vihear Temple dispute

International trade passes through strategic straits and choke points of Southeast Asia (piracy) „

Reassertion of role of China and India

Global trade and identity politics remain potent drivers of change

Pre-Colonial Influences in the Asia Pacific Questions Professor Carl Thayer [email protected]