At that time India and China were the two advanced and rich superpowers. Among them was a close trading relationship which in turn also involved the surrounding countries, including the kingdoms of the archipelago. Spices (pepper, cloves, nutmeg) of Maluku, Aceh, South Sumatra, West Java, were a popular commodity everywhere. Sandalwood of Nusa Tenggara, benzoin from Sumatra and the frankincense from Borneo, Sumatra, and Sulawesi were well-demanded by the people of India and China for the sake of religious ceremonies.