Southeast Asia 1200-1450 CE:

Analysis of Art and Architecture

Mischka, David,
The states of Southeast Asia had a lot of very distinctive art and architecture. They experienced a lot of
cultural diffusion and syncretism as belief structures from East and South Asia came into the region,
influencing society, politics, and culture. Let’s recognize how the art and architecture reflects those influences!

Borobudur Temple (Central Java, Indonesia) - Mischka

This is a Buddhist Temple constructed in the 9th Century and continued into the 14th Century. It was
abandoned as Islamic influence came into Java, but was renovated 1973 and is now a world UNESCO
heritage site. Watch the short video showing drone footage of Borobudur (and read the subtitles as you go)
so you can answer the questions below. Borobudur Temple Video

1. What Buddhist elements are in
this temple, according to the
video?
- The temple has 3 levels representing the level of human life and
spiritual development.
- Lowest level representing the human development which
cannot control their desires
- Middle level represents that humans can control their
desires better
- The top level : Arupadhatu - means without form.
Humans have control over their desires and has become
‘one’ with the creator
- The buddhist statues of Buddha

2. What do you notice are The structures were built with pieces of stone. Most of the well-known
architectural influences that are architects are religious or governmental structures.
distinctively Southeast Asian?

Angkor Wat Temple (Khmer Empire, Cambodia) - David

This was first a Hindu Temple, then became a Buddhist Temple. Angkor Wat was in the capital city of the
Khmer Empire (ca. 802 - 1431 CE), and was the largest city of its day. At its height, the empire
encompassed modern Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. They had massive building projects like
tempes, reservoirs, canals, roads, bridges, and hospitals. The original religion of the region was animism,
then was influenced heavily by Hinduism, then Buddhism. Watch the short video showing drone footage of
Angkor Wat and answer the questions below Angkor Wat Temple Video

3. What do you notice that
indicates this architecture is
Southeast Asian?
David
I saw a costume that people were wearing that resembled Hinduism
practice. Furthermore, the architecture was decorated and built in a way that
shows the culture of Hinduism. They were harmonious and geometrically
precise. All those little bumps and angles unified as one and formed a high
tower shape. This temple is interesting since it is made out of sandstone.
Furthermore, this temple represents two religions which are not common in
any other religious temple. The structure and decoration gives Buddhist vibe
but it was meant to be built for Hinduism.

4. How does the construction I think the precise geometric shape of the structure relates to the concept of
of this structure relate to the state-building. It is well unified among various elements. Furthermore, it is
concept of “state-building?” tall, grand, and atmospheric. It gives the viewer a grandness of their culture
David and how little tiny geometric parts make up to a huge state building.

5. What are some
conclusions you can make
concerning the Khmer Empire
based on this architecture?
David
I think the Khmer Empire was huge and had a distinct religion and culture
which influenced many countries around them. Their temple, Angkor Wat
Temple, is the biggest religious monument which shows the size of their
culture of worshipping gods. Furthermore, I think the Khmer Empire had
strong dignity since they built large meticulous temple.

Majapahit (Java, Indonesia)

Majapahit was the last of the major Hindu empires of the Malay archipelago. Buddhism was already a part of
the region, so it was a Hindu-Buddhist empire. By this point Islam had entered the region, and Islam was
tolerated, and there were muslims in government positions. The kings had divine mandate and a lot of
power. It was a uniquely “water-based” empire for its time. It declined due to civil war and outside influence
by China and Islamic Sultanates.

6. What does the map/gif It indicated where the Majapahit empire

indicate about how the firstly originated from. It also indicated how
Majapahit Empire expanded? wide and large the spread of Hinduism was.
We can see from the gif above that from the
Maggie origin territory, they started to spread
towards the west. Then spreading towards
the islands on the east.

7. What does this art piece It represents an aspect of the Majapahit Empire’s main religion,
represent about the Hinduism, and how relevant and of importance it was. Also, it
Majapahit Empire? represents their wealth and love of gold since the statue is
(“Golden Statue of the made out of gold. It also shows how much they loved art and
Majapahit State”) invested their time and effort into it.

Maggie
8. What do the famous
“Bajang Ratu Gate (left) and
Wringin Lawang (right)” show
about the Majapahit Empire?

Gary
These gates serve as the entrance to a sacred
building to commemorate the death of certain leaders. They honor the dead
leaders by building them magnificent structures so that the people may
remember them even though they’re dead. These structures were built using
brick materials. Bajang Ratu Gate was a structure to commemorate the
death of King Jayanegara. The wing of the gate symbolizes liberation and
until now in the Trowulan area, it has become a culture if mourning the dead
is required to go through the back door. It shows that these cultures are still
used in several areas.

9. This is the
Nagarakretagama, a
eulogy/poem to a king of the
Majapahit Empire. It was
written in 1365 and has many
details about the height of the
Empire. It describes a lot of
temples, palaces, ceremonies,
and shows the importance of
Hinduism and Buddhism. This proves and shows the religious
ceremonies and culture they had at that time. The Nagarakretagama helps
Gary people understand how Hinduism and Buddhism culture differ from the
culture today. Time might have changed the cultures of Hinduism and
Buddhism. In addition, this also contains the height of the empire and this
can really help people understand how powerful the empire was at that time
and how they managed things.