India, July 29 -- At the beginning of the Common era, two millennia ago, trade had begun between the Indian peninsula and Southeast Asian countries. The Buddhist Jatakas are replete with references to outflow of sailors, who worshipped in particular Buddha Dipankara. In the later centuries, Buddhist adherents were joined by Brahminical clans from along the entire eastern coast who eventually conquered the region and established their rule, which lasted till the 15th-16th centuries.

What were the processes of Indianisation of Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia? How deeply did these Indianised kingdoms of Sri Vijaya Khmer, Sukhothai and others influence the pre-existing cultures and practices; were they limited...