Self Notes on Lesson 4 : Spreading
Cultures in China and Southeast Asia.
Key Words:
Tang Dynasty: A Chinese dynasty (618–907 CE) that facilitated early Islamic
contact.
Indianisation: The spread of Indian culture, religion, and influence in China
and Southeast Asia, especially through Buddhism.
Minaret: A tall tower, often part of a mosque, from which the call to prayer is
made; symbolic in Islamic architecture.
Architecture: The blending of Islamic styles with local designs, particularly in
mosques in China and Southeast Asia.
Islamisation: The process by which Islam spread and integrated into local
cultures, including in China.
Indic Culture: The cultural influence from India, including religion, art, and
language, seen in China and Southeast Asia.
1. Islamic Culture in China
Tang Dynasty Influence (618–907 CE):
o Muslim traders arrived by the Silk Road.
o The Tang Dynasty welcomed Islamic merchants, allowing cultural
exchange.
Important Mosques and Architecture:
o Huajuexiang Mosque (Xi'an):
Built in 742 CE, it combines traditional Chinese architectural
elements with Islamic function.
Features courtyards and prayer halls, representing the fusion of
Chinese and Islamic cultures.
o Atikar Mosque in Kashi (Xinjiang):
A centre for Islamic worship and community in Xinjiang, blending
Islamic and Central Asian design.
o Amin Mosque and Minaret (Xinjiang):
Constructed in 1777 CE, it showcases the Islamic architectural
style with a minaret and Central Asian influences.
2. Spread of Indian Culture in China (to 1100 CE)
Indianisation:
o Buddhism spread from India to China, primarily via the Silk Road.
o Chinese scholars like Xuan Zang travelled to India, helping integrate
Indic philosophy, art, and literature into Chinese culture.
o Indian influence is visible in Chinese Buddhist monasteries and art,
such as the famous Dunhuang frescoes.
3. Angkor Wat and Indian Influence in Southeast Asia
Built in the early 12th century during the Khmer Empire in Cambodia,
originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu.
Later became a Buddhist temple.
The temple is a prime example of Indic culture, reflecting the Indian influence
in architecture, religious symbolism, and carvings.
4. Islam in China during 1200–1600 CE
Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368 CE):
o Mongol rulers encouraged the spread of Islam, with Muslims becoming
influential in administration, astronomy, and architecture.
o The architectural style of mosques during this period began to
incorporate both Chinese and Islamic elements.
Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 CE):
o Islam continued to spread and integrate with Chinese society, with the
growth of Muslim communities and practices.
o Islamisation occurred, seen in practices such as halal food and the
establishment of religious schools.
Conclusion
Islamic and Indic cultures played significant roles in shaping China's and
Southeast Asia's cultural landscapes. Both the Islamisation of China and the
Indianisation of the region influenced religious, architectural, and cultural practices
that continue to resonate today.
