why wouldn't the Indonesian and Philippine archipelagos come under the influence of India and China ?
The reason why the Indonesian and Philippine archipelagos did not come under strong influence from India and China can be attributed to various historical, geographical, and cultural factors.
1. Geographical factors: The Indonesian and Philippine archipelagos are situated quite far from the mainland of India and China. These vast distances made it challenging for these ancient civilizations to maintain direct control and exert significant influence over these regions. The transportation and communication technologies of the time were not advanced enough to facilitate regular contact and governance.
2. Maritime trade networks: The Indonesian and Philippine archipelagos have long been part of extensive maritime trade networks that connected them to various regions in Southeast Asia, as well as to India and China. These trade networks allowed for the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultural influences, but they did not necessarily result in direct political control or dominance.
3. Indigenous civilizations and regional autonomy: The Indonesian and Philippine archipelagos were inhabited by diverse and complex indigenous societies. These societies had their own distinct cultural, political, and economic structures, which contributed to their ability to maintain regional autonomy and resist foreign domination. Additionally, the archipelagos' ample natural resources and complex geography made them less susceptible to outside control.
4. Existing regional powers: The Indonesian and Philippine archipelagos were already home to existing regional powers and kingdoms with their own political and economic structures. These indigenous powers maintained their authority and resisted overseas influence, thereby preventing India and China from gaining significant control over the archipelagos.
It is important to note that, while India and China did not exert direct control over these archipelagos in ancient times, they still had varying degrees of influence through trade, cultural exchange, and religious connections. However, the impact was not as extensive as it was in other regions of Southeast Asia.