• 1. One of the major reasons for the tendency to
fragmentation in all Southeast Asian kingdoms
was the difficulty of transferring political power
from one generation to another. The potential for
conflict was particularly great in larger states
where kings were likely to have numerous
children by several women and where the
rewards for success were high. on the death of a
king his brother should inherit the throne, rather
than his son. A practice had also been introduced
of appointing a secondary king, who would be
regarded as heir.
Though Islamic states more clearly identified
the elder son as the legitimate heir, disputes
between a royal prince and his uncles,
younger brothers of the dead ruler, remained
common.
• The very personalized nature of royal
authority meant that the death of a king or a
period of weak rule was often a time of crisis
as princely factions and their supporters
jockeyed for power.
• In this process royal women are commonly
depicted as playing a crucial role.