It can be easy to overlook South and Southeast Asia in this period. They are at the crossroads of all of the major interactions of this period (Islam, Mongols, Trade), and are heavily influenced by their neighbors (Islam to the West and China to the Northeast). However, DO NOT SKIP THIS SECTION! There is such a rich history of Syncretism in this region, and with the addition of Islam; it creates some truly fascinating historical studies. Plus, this area will be of extreme focus next period as the Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, French and British all move into the region.

1. Sulalatus Salatin , (literally, Genealogy of Kings, traces the origins of the Malacca Sultanate), c. 1450, (MALACCA SULTANATE)
2. The Tale of the Four Dervishes, c. 1250, Amir Khurso (“Father of Urdu Literature”) (DELHI SULTANATE)
3. A Chant on the Mustard Hut, c. 1350, Tran Minh Tong (DAI VIET)
4. A Gift to Those Who Contemplate the Wonders of Cities and the Marvels of Travelling, (this has excerpts of Ibn Battuta’s 7 years as a judge in the Delhi Sultanate), c. 1354 (DELHI SULTANATE)

1. BOROBUDUR, (Largest Buddhist temple on the planet), 9th Century-14th Century (INDONESIA)

2. BAGAN, (collection of 10,000 Buddhist temples), 850-1287 CE (MYANMAR, PAGAN KINGDOM)

3. ANGKOR WAT,(Hindu temple transformed into a Buddhist Temple), 1150-1550 CE (CAMBODIA, KHMER EMPIRE)

4. TEMPLE OF LITERATURE, 1070 CE (HANOI, VIETNAM)

4. TOMB OF SHAH RUKN-E-ALAM, 1324 CE, (PAKISTAN, DELHI SULTANATE)

5. QUTB MINAR, (240 feet tall Minaret), 1192 CE (DELHI SULTANATE)

1. South and Southeast Asia are primarily a place to focus on the convergence of three religions: ISLAM, HINDUISM, & BUDDHISM.
2. Focusing on these areas in this period (1200-1450) is something super rare: THEY DEFEATED/DEFENDED AGAINST the MONGOLS!!!
3. India is dominated by Hinduism, but in this period (and the next: Mughal Empire) they will be ruled by Muslims: the Delhi Sultanate.
4. All of the big World Travelers hit up both SOUTH & SOUTHEAST Asia during this period: ZHENGHE, MARCO POLO, & IBN BATTUTA (he was a judge in the Delhi Sultanate for 7 years!)
5. Sadly, this is the end of independence in this area for a looooooooong time. In 1498, Portuguese conquistador Vasco da Gama opens the door for the Europeans to begin their domination of this region :(