Suvarna Garge (Editor)

Relationship of the Tamils with the Chinese

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Relationship of the Tamils with the Chinese

The Cholas (the ancient Tamil (dravidian) kings of the Chola dynasty who ruled most parts of the south east Asia once) had maintained a very good relationship with the Chinese.

Contents

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. 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.

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.

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 BC - 1033 BC) and Kulothunga Chola I(i.e. in 1077 BC), commercial and political diplomates were sent to China.

References

Relationship of the Tamils with the Chinese Wikipedia