Maria Devina Sanjaya

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The Rise of States and The Age of Commerce: A Summary

It is believed that the rise of Indonesian societies was sparked by their involvement in
trade. China’s history records that in 500 BCE they have started trade with Indonesia with the
main products of rice and spices. By the first century of CE, trade of spices became more
massive with Rome as the partner. Afterwards, it was revealed that Indonesian trade continues
to expand with dramatic increase in demand from China and Arab with sea passage as the main
route of delivery and ports as the primary place to conduct the trade activities. Not only physical
goods traded in this era, religious ideas, philosophies, as well as cultures were “traded” too.
Through regular encounters of trade, Hindu and Buddhist cultures emerged as well among
Indonesian societies. While Hinduism was introduced by Indian traders, Buddhist cultures
were most likely to be presented by Chinese traders, Ho-ling. Ho-ling’s presence in Java island
was so dominant that it can build a state before its merger with Mataram. Both Mataram and
Ho-ling had strong agricultural base to feed the population and to produce export goods. By
the 7th CE, Srivijaya outperformed other communities and states to become the strongest one.
While Srivijaya was dominant in the land of Sumatra, Mataram was the ruler of Java. However,
both states’ heyday did not las long as they eventually collapsed due to several reasons.
Particularly for Mataram, it was replaced by Singasari and then Majapahit. During Majapahit
era, trade with China increased substantially that its power become very influential across the
archipelago.

By 13th century, many Indonesian traders have adopted Islam as a result of the increase
in trading activities with their South Asian and Middle Eastern partners. Thus, conversion to
Islam is also beneficial economically. Soon after, other major coastal regions followed to adopt
Islam as well. Indirectly, Muslim domination also sparked the colonization of the archipelago.
It was started when Portuguese merchants turn their direction to Asia with the purpose of
collecting spices. Following the Portuguese, were English, Spanish, and the Dutch. Since they
had the same interest, rivalries emerged between them. The Dutch, represented by the VOC,
aimed to monopolize the trade and maximize its own profits. However, other traders refuse to
recognize the Dutch’s power at that time that forces the Dutch to use physical presence.

I agree with the writer’s research and findings of how trades do not only make good
impact to Indonesia’s economy at that time. It also sparked colonialism due to the rivalry of
spice trade. Trade also introduced the people of Indonesia to many cultures and religions, which
include Hinduism, Buddhist, as well as Islam. And I do believe that it does made Indonesia to
 Maria Devina Sanjaya
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how it is right now. Therefore, the diversity that was initiated from the long history of trade
should be preserved at its best.