the contacts between the bay of bengal region with indonesian archipelago has commenced since centuries ago. indonesia and bangladesh were connected to maritime silk road of indian ocean trade network, where goods travels and ideas exchanged. since early 4th-century indonesia has received hindu, and subsequently buddhist influences from indian subcontinent. in 9th-century the srivijaya empire established contacts through religious and education relations with buddhist schools, monasteries and universities in ancient india and bangladesh, such as nalanda and somapura.