Page "History of Malaysia" Paragraph 11

Between the 7th and the 13th century, much of the Malay peninsula was under the Buddhist Srivijaya empire.

The site of Srivijaya's centre is thought be at a river mouth in eastern Sumatra, based near what is now Palembang.

For over six centuries the Maharajahs of Srivijaya ruled a maritime empire that became the main power in the archipelago.

The empire was based around trade, with local kings ( dhatus or community leaders ) swearing allegiance to the central lord in order for mutual profit.