Dvaravati: The Beginning of Community Decentralization in Southeast Asia

Abstract

         This article aimed to study: - 1) the define the term “Dvaravati”, 2) the history and development of Dvaravati, 3) the administration of the Dvaravati era, and 4) the social surroundings and economic situations in the Dvaravati era. The documentary study and field study were used in this work. Finally, it was presented by descriptive analytics.

         The results of the study were as follows: The term “Dvaravati” was inscribed in the silver coins identified with the message “Sridvaravati savarapunya” which was translated as “the meritorious wholesomeness of the king of Sridvaravati” and it signified in the Sanskrit language “the port which was the gate of trade” and might be compared with the term “Dvaraka” which was the name of Deity Krishna’s city in the Indian epic titled “The Mahabharata” and also compared with the term “Tho-lo-po-ti” recorded in the diary of Hianjung Bhikkhu or other terms which had the same sound: Juan-lo-po-ti, Cher-ho-po-ti, and throw-her, etc.

         Dvaravati was the primitive community in the territory of Thailand during the 12-16 B.E., which was influenced by the cultures, arts, and architecture of India. It was so prosperous and assumed that this city was likely to be the center of Dvaravati: the ancient city of Nakonprathom, the Ancient City of U-thong, and the Ancient City of Srithep.

         Although the administration in Dvaravati Era was not unclear to be said, it might be able to be assumed that the Dvaravati administration was likely to be a form of Absolute Monarchy, which had some clues of the engraving in the Punlawa language and the Sanskrit language on the base of the Buddha image aged around the 12 B.E. from Janthuek Temple, which signified Queen of Dvaravati and of the copper inscription in the ancient Khmer alphabets in U-thong City, which signified King Hansavarman with King E-sanavarman as King of Dvaravati.

         In social surroundings and economic situations in Dvaravati Era, in the beginning, the majority of people had venerated spirits and believed in Brahmin and Hinduism. Later they believed in the Theravada and Mahayana sects of Buddhism increasingly, and they did a living as agriculturalists and traders, and farmers, as well as bead sellers.