Malayu Kingdom of Jambi

The seventh century saw the emergence of a second coastal and riverine power on Sumatra: Jambi sometimes called Malayu. Jambi province has an old history with the discovery of an ancient relic dated at 686 AD.

The kingdom of Malayu was once incorporated into larger and stronger Sri Vijaya Empire, sometimes a semi independent vassal state and an independent entity for at least a short period.

In Chinese records from the seventh century, there are references to minerals from the kingdom of Mo-lo-yeu.

During Chola invasion in 11th century, Cholas called it the kingdom of Malaiur, the ‘strong mountain for its rampart’.

Jambi’s wealth and power came from its geographic position on the Straits of Malacca. This Sumatran Buddhist kingdom continued to dominate the region until about the 14th century.

At the end of the fourteenth center Jambi became a vassal region of Majapahit though it managed to wrench itself free again after the fall of this empire at the beginning of the 16th century.

It was then succeeded by an Islamic kingdom during 1460-1907.
Malayu Kingdom of Jambi