Chapter 3 - Space and Time in the Making of Monsoon Asia

Summary

Abstract

This highly explorative essay offers a connective and comparative study of the history of premodern South and Southeast Asia by reflecting on some long-term spatial and temporal ingredients that have made this region, despite all its diversity, a relatively cohesive whole, while always being in fluid transition with the overlapping border regions of West, East and Central Asia. The first part is about space and focuses on some often-ignored longue-durée geographical features of the region. The second part is about time and explores how these features have impacted the historical development of the region and led to the emergence of three different kinds of polities: Charter Empires, Temple States and Frontier States/Empires.

Keywords: climate; geography; state-formation; trading networks; cosmopolis

The Beloved of the Gods even reasons with the forest tribes and seeks to reform them. But the Beloved of the Gods is not only compassionate. He is also powerful, and he tells them to repent, lest they be slain.

Ashoka (r. circa 268-232 BCE) in Rock Edict XIII

Like many spatial categories, the idea of “Monsoon Asia”, as announced in the title, is somewhat problematic since it lacks precision. Nevertheless, for at least two reasons it suits the present purpose very well. First, it highlights the importance of climate in determining space. Secondly, it helps join those regions of the world that were, and continue to be, affected most intensely by the monsoon climate and which also happen to be the topic of this particular volume: South and Southeast Asia. As such, this explorative chapter will briefly reflect on some long-term spatial and temporal ingredients that have made this region, despite all its diversity, a relatively cohesive whole, while always being in fluid transition with the overlapping border regions of West, East and Central Asia. The first part is about space, and focuses on some oft-ignored longue-durée geographical features of the region. The second part is about time, and explores how these features have impacted the historical development of our region and led to the emergence of three different kinds of polities: Charter Empires, Temple States, and Frontier States/Empires.