Relationship of the Cholas with the Chinese

The Cholas, the Tamil kings of the Chola dynasty who had ruled most parts of Southeast Asia, maintained a strong relationship with the Chinese.

The Chola Empire at its greatest extent, during the reign of Rajendra Chola I in 1030 CE

Relationship during second century BC

The 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]

Coins

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]

PlaceNumber of coinsOther details
Olayakkunnam323These coins belong to 142-126 BC. This village is situated in Pattukkottai taluk in Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu, India
Thaalikkottai1822This village is situated in Mannargudi taluk in Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu, India

Relationship during eleventh century AD

The later Cholas too continued to maintain a healthy relationship with the Chinese. During the reign of Rajendra Chola I (i.e. 1016–1033 AD) and Kulothunga Chola I (i.e. in 1077 AD), commercial and political diplomats were sent to China.[4][5]

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References
  1. "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
  2. Numismatics of Tamils by Nadana kaasinaathan - Tamil version (தமிழர் காசியல், நடன காசிநாதன்)
  3. Chinese Coins From Tanjore, Sino-Indian Studies, vol. I, Part I, Oct. 1944
  4. "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"
  5. Indian History till 1200 AD - 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)
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