A prominent city-state and significant trading port in Southeast Asia, this entity controlled a crucial strait connecting the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. Its strategic location facilitated extensive maritime trade between East and West, allowing it to become a wealthy and influential center. For example, ships carrying goods from India, Arabia, and Europe would pass through, exchanging commodities with merchants from China, Japan, and the islands of Southeast Asia.
The importance of this location lies in its control of a vital choke point for maritime commerce. This control enabled it to levy taxes on passing ships, generating substantial revenue. Furthermore, it served as a crucial point for the spread of Islam throughout the region, becoming a major center of Islamic learning and culture. Its influence extended beyond economics and religion, impacting the political landscape of Southeast Asia for centuries.
