Imagine a massive canvas on which are painted places that include countries of the present day South-East Asia, India and China and many more that do not exist now. Join the dots and what we have is a network through which trade was conducted in an intense fashion. Lack of sophisticated transport did not deter people from travelling long distances in order to buy and exchange goods special for each region. From gold to beast, they did business on everything and the traffic inevitable left trails that have gradually got obliterated.
It was fascinating to travel with Dr. John Guy, who delivered a lecture on ‘Early Tamil Diaspora in South East Asia’ recently at the Roja Muthaiah Research Library in association with Dakshina Chitra.
Why is it at all relevant to look back 1,500 years? Because the information, when painstakingly put together by researchers such as Dr. Guy, speak of people and civilisations and the footprints that they have left behind. From weaving to jewellery making and ship building to temple structures, it was an evolution of sorts that unfolded as if we were on a time machine.
Author of several books and papers, Dr. Guy threw light on the civilisation of the early millennium, copious evidence of which has been found in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Bangkok and so on. They still have vestiges of the many Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms that existed during 5-9 centuries. The talk was based on Dr. Guy’s book, “Lost Kingdoms: Hindu-Buddhist Sculptures of Early Southeast Asia.”
With rivers as the channels of communication and conveyance and river beds as the base for trade and commerce, a world unknown to modern India opened up. It comprised states such as Champa, Srivijaya, Dvaravati and so on, which were swept away in the course of time but which actually played a significant role in the emergence of a region called South-East Asia, China, etc.
An 11th century Tamil inscription carries of a trade pact between Sumatra and India. Tools used to process gold, a rare picture of artisans engaged in the task, bronze implements, etc., speak of a highly resourceful population that observed a lifestyle far from primitive, showing camaraderie towards neighbouring states, giving and taking the best from each other, be it food stuff, metals or animals.
Trade necessitated settlements, paving the way for new cultures and traditions. What apparently existed as one mega network of human relations guided by sea routes got whittled down, some even totally disappearing.
The extensive presence of South Indian god images, especially Siva and Vishnu, Mahalakshmi also occurring as a recurrent motif in Sumatra and Cambodia suggest that the culture flourished there and temples dedicated to Hindu deities existed. With the obliteration of the community the temples were demolished and the pillars and panels used in the Buddhist worship places subsequently came up in South-east Asia.
It is common to find yaalis and other south Indian motifs in Buddhist temples. This includes a spectacular sculpted image of Siva in the Oordva thandava posture. Stone pillars and idols enjoyed long cruises to land in new destinations. Salvaged items of wreckages have brought up these objects.
The trail suggests a strong Arab connection, favourite stops being Basra and Baghdad. Sindbad the Sailor is not entirely a figment of imagination. His real life versions traded intensely, getting cargo and even vessels exchanged. Naturally Islam played a major role in furthering commercial operations along the coast of Kerala bringing in new settlers in the State and beyond. A picture of a huge shelter in the 13 century Nagapattinam for marine travellers proves the point.
Archaeology and history are inevitably linked to language and script without which the inscriptions and markings could not have been deciphered. This brings into focus the Brahmi script, its variations and the eminence enjoyed by Sanskrit. Next in importance was Pali and the Pyu, typical of the Irrawady River Valley (Myanmar).
The spice route, religious connotations, the Kerala and Kolkata connections… but why has this fascinating subject not caught the fancy of researchers and historians here?
Barring some exhibits in the Kolkata Museum and the Chennai Egmore Museum, India has scarce material on this much ignored slice of history. But for the tireless work of scholars such as Dr. John Guy, these lost kingdoms would remain totally buried in the sands of time.
For an interview with Dr. John Guy, >click here .
