Indian influences in early Philippine polities
So, a long, long time ago, there were different groups of people living in what is now known as the Philippines. These groups had their own ways of living and ruling, but they also had contact with people from other places, like India.
India was a big and important country with a lot of culture and ideas that they shared with other places they traded with, including the Philippines. Some of these ideas and practices influenced how the early Philippine polities, or kingdoms, were run.
For example, some of the Indian ideas that were adopted by early Filipino kingdoms included:
- Writing systems: India had a system of writing called Sanskrit that was used in many writings and documents, including religious texts. The Philippines borrowed this writing system and used it to create their own writing system called Baybayin or Alibata.
- Religion: Indian traders brought with them the Hindu religion, which had many gods and goddesses. This influenced the religion of the early Filipinos, who also had gods and goddesses that they worshipped.
- Architecture: Indian architecture was also influential in early Philippines. Temples and buildings were created using Indian architectural styles, with influences from Hindu and Buddhist designs.
- Trade: India was a big trader and merchant, and their trading relationship with early Filipino kingdoms helped to shape the economy and commerce of the Philippines.
Overall, India had a big impact on early Philippine polities, with lasting effects on culture, religion, architecture, and trade.
India was a big and important country with a lot of culture and ideas that they shared with other places they traded with, including the Philippines. Some of these ideas and practices influenced how the early Philippine polities, or kingdoms, were run.
For example, some of the Indian ideas that were adopted by early Filipino kingdoms included:
- Writing systems: India had a system of writing called Sanskrit that was used in many writings and documents, including religious texts. The Philippines borrowed this writing system and used it to create their own writing system called Baybayin or Alibata.
- Religion: Indian traders brought with them the Hindu religion, which had many gods and goddesses. This influenced the religion of the early Filipinos, who also had gods and goddesses that they worshipped.
- Architecture: Indian architecture was also influential in early Philippines. Temples and buildings were created using Indian architectural styles, with influences from Hindu and Buddhist designs.
- Trade: India was a big trader and merchant, and their trading relationship with early Filipino kingdoms helped to shape the economy and commerce of the Philippines.
Overall, India had a big impact on early Philippine polities, with lasting effects on culture, religion, architecture, and trade.