The Chola Empire at its greatest extent, during the reign of Rajendra Chola I in 1030 CEThe relationship between the Chinese and Cholas dates back to second century BC. Ancient Chinese scholar Ban Gu had told that China had sent its ambassador to the court of the Cholas.[1]Ban Gu in his work the Book of Han (Ch'ien Han Shu) had written that he had seen many unprecedented objects which are unseen at China, at the city of kuvangtche. Berend, an acoustics expert, annotates that the city named by Ban Gu is analogous with the ancient Chola city kanchi (the present day's city of Kancheepuram at Tamil Nadu, India). This proves the relationship of Kanchi with China.[2]
Arrays of ancient Chinese coins have been found in recent years at the place which is considered to be the homeland of the Cholas (i.e. the present Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Pudukkottai districts of Tamil nadu, India), which confirms the trade and the commercial relationship which existed between the Cholas and the Chinese. [3]
| Place | Number of coins | Other details |
|---|---|---|
| Olayakkunnam | 323 | These coins belong to 142-126 BC. This village is situated in Pattukkottai taluk in Pudukkottai district of Tamil nadu, India |
| Thaalikkottai | 1822 | This village is situated in Mannargudi taluk in Tiruvarur district of Tamil nadu, India |
The later Cholas too continued to maintain a healthy relationship with the Chinese. During the reign of Rajendra Chola I (i.e. 1016–1033 BC) and Kulothunga Chola I (i.e. in 1077 BC), commercial and political diplomats were sent to China.[4][5]
- ^ "sino-indian cultural ties from time immemorial", baroda, jan 7. sardar K.M.panikkar was delivering the 1st of 3 lectures on 'india & china' @ maharaja sayaji rao university of baroda, News item in "the mail" dated 19-1-1956
- ^ Numismatics of Tamils by Nadana kaasinaathan - Tamil version (தமிழர் காசியல், நடன காசிநாதன்)
- ^ Chinese Coins From Tanjore, Sino-Indian Studies, vol. I, Part I, Oct. 1944
- ^ "the chola monarchs sent embassies, partly diplomatic & commercial, to China which reached that country in 1016, 1033, 1077" - K.A.Nilakanta shastri, "A history of south india"
- ^ Indian History till 1200 BC - Annamalai University - Chapter-8 - section-24 - page-425 - Trade and Coinage - Tamil version (இந்திய வரலாறு கி.பி.1200 வரை - அண்ணாமலைப் பல்கலைக்கழகம் - அதிகாரம்-8 - பகுதி-24 - பக்கம்-425 - வாணிகமும் நாணயமுறையும்) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relationship_of_the_Cholas_with_the_Chinese
ASI willing to unravel Tamil link to China
PTI Chennai, August 26, 2013Unravelling the links Tamils had with China in ancient times could soon be a reality, as the Archaeological Survey of India has said it is willing to lend its expertise to that country if a request is made through appropriate government channels.
"We would love to research the link of Tamils with China. However, we can do this only if a request comes through appropriate authorities like the external affairs ministry," ASI additional director general BR Mani told PTI.
There have been reports of Hindu temples in China and its links with South India and Tamil traders dating to the 13th century.
Historians believe the Chedian shrine may have been a network of more than 12 Hindu temples or shrines, including two grand big temples built in Quanzhou and surrounding villages by Tamil traders who lived here during the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1279-1368) dynasties.
Quanzhou Maritime Museum vice curator Wang Liming had said China would welcome any help from Indian scholars "as this is something we need to study together."
While stating that ASI would like to research links of Tamils with China, Mani said expeditions of Indians to far away places had always been a subject of interest and pointed out that Sindhi traders had built the Baku Fire Temple in Azerbaijan centuries ago.
"Not only in Azerbaijan, but in several other countries like Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Jawa, many structures have been built by various Indians in different times," he noted.
Asked to shed more light on the Tamil link to ancient China, noted archaeologist and historian S Ramachandran said the Tamils shared a very long history with the dragon nation.
"The Thirukaneeswaram inscriptions belonging to the 14th century speaks of a Shiva temple near the Canton port area in China," he said, adding the inscription was documented by TN Subramaniam in the South Indian Temple Inscriptions series published by Government Oriental Manuscripts Library in 1957.
Interestingly, the temple in China was named after a Mongolian king of the period as 'Kaneeswaram.' An inscription found in the Shiva temple in Avinashi in Coimbatore District (Circa 13th Century) has reference to 'Cheena Kudai' or Chinese umbrellas.
Another inscription found in the Courtallam temple speaks of 'Cheenan' denoting the Chinese. The word Cheenan was used while referring to 'Manuurusattai,' a type of dress in a particular shape hinting at a probable link between "the cloth, the Chinese and Tamil Nadu."
"There is even a view that Sangam age [2000 years ago] king Athiyaman's ancestors introduced sugarcane from China.The Tamil word Cheeni meaning sugar may also have a Chinese connection," Ramachandran said.
Citing the 'Kattabomman Kathai Padal' folk verses on legendary ruler Kattabomman who fought the British, the archaeologist said it has several references to Chinese explosives and lenses. "The evidence on ancient Tamil-Chinese link continues till early 19th Century."
Terming the Quanzhou link as 'very interesting,' Ramachandran said it would be exciting to research the inscriptions and statues in China.
"We may be able to break new ground and could get new archaeological evidences on the link between Tamils and the Chinese," he said.
Ramachandran is also associated with Reach Foundation, a Chennai based NGO, renowned for its conservation efforts.