The Fall of Srivijaya in Malay History

by O.W. Wolters

Pp. xii, 274. Publisher's original blue cloth, lettered in gilt on the spine, 8vo. Srivijaya was a Malay maritime empire, based in Sumatra, which was established in the seventh century AD. This volume documents the downfall of this empire. No ownership marks and no signs of use.

274 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1970

Reviews

[Andi Dirgantara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives a clear and detailed account of the early beginnings of the Malacca Sultanate, which has strong ties to the Srivijaya kingdom. The founder of Malacca is said to be a descendant of a Srivijayan prince.

Because these kingdoms are so old, and historical records from that time are limited, it's not easy to find solid historical facts. On top of that, the shift from a Hindu kingdom to an Islamic sultanate brought major changes in society and belief systems. Still, this book offers credible references and presents the story in a way that’s relatively easy for general readers to follow, even if it’s not as straightforward as reading about later kingdoms with better-preserved histories.

During the Srivijaya era, there were often misunderstandings between Srivijaya and the Chinese empire, especially regarding the political situation between Srivijaya and its neighbors in Java, such as the Singhasari and later the Majapahit kingdoms. These misunderstandings sometimes led to conflicts.

[H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author clarifies the motivation behind Sejarah Melayu by exploring the context of the 11th and up to the early 15th century. Once the motivation is understood, and corroborated with other sources, the truth behind flowery mythical language is revealed. In other words, the Fall of Srivijaya in Malay History argues Sejarah Melayu is an important source of history, if it is read from a certain lens

[aldo zirsov]

membaca buku pinjaman hehehe