Historical Interactions Across the Bay of Bengal: Trade, Migration, and Cultural Exchange

This study examines how ancient Indian traditions influenced Southeast Asian countries through maritime trade and migration, thereby shaping the religious, cultural, economic, and political aspects of these regions. During the Indianization period, people migrated from Kalinga and Bengal to Southeast Asia, contributing through trade, religious and cultural exchanges, and political interactions over the past two thousand years. India's strategic location and powerful empires, dating back to ancient times, have played a significant role in its status as a maritime power. Both local and external sources highlight India's strong connections with Southeast Asian nations. This study aims to evaluate the debate over Indian expansion, which emerged alongside regional marketplaces and cultural influences from ancient times through the pre-European colonial period. The findings offer insights into the influence of Kalinga and Bengal, highlighting that Indianization was not colonization, but rather a process of cultural assimilation and adaptation by the native populations.