(fl. 7th13th centuries) Maritime and commercial kingdom in the Malay Archipelago.
It originated on the island of Sumatra and soon came to control the Strait of Malacca . Its power was based on its control of international sea trade; it had relations with other island states and with China and India. It was also a centre for Mahayana Buddhism and a stopping place for Chinese pilgrims traveling to India. It was overcome by forces of the Cola dynasty in 1025 and lost power gradually thereafter.