Tambralinga

Quick Facts: Who was Tambralinga?

Subject:

Tambralinga

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An Indianized kingdom on the Malay Peninsula, flourishing from the 2nd to 13th centuries CE.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Tambralinga or Ho-ling was an Indianised kingdom located on the Malay Peninsula (primarily in modern-day Southern Thailand), existing at least from the 2nd to 13th centuries CE. The ethnicity of the kingdom is not known with any certainty, though it may have had Austronesian, Khmer, or Mon associations. It was possibly under the influence of Srivijaya for some time, but it later became independent from it or their relationship may have generally been that of allies rather than conqueror and vassal. The name had been forgotten until scholars recognized Tambralinga as Nakhon Si Thammarat (Nagara Sri Dharmaraja). In Sanskrit and Prakrit, tām(b)ra means "copper", "copper-coloured" or "red" and linga means "symbol" or "creation", typically representing the divine energy of Shiva.

Career & Major Achievements

Tambralinga first sent an embassy to China under the Song dynasty in 1001. In the 12th century it may or may not have been under the suzerainty of the Burmese Pagan Kingdom and a kingdom of Sri Lanka. At its height in the mid-13th century, under King Chandrabhanu, Tambralinga was independent, regrouping and consolidating its power and even invading Sri Lanka. By the end of the 13th century, Tambralinga was recorded in Siamese history as Nakhon Si Thammarat, under the suzerainty of the Tai Sukhothai Kingdom. In his 13th-century work Zhu Fan Zhi, Chinese historian Zhao Rugua mentions the state Danmaling (Tan-ma-ling, 單馬令), describing it as a vassal of Srivijaya.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The same work lists Tambralinga among the dependencies of Angkor for 1225. The History of Song gives a similar account under the name Tan-mei-liu. Briggs, in a study whose subject is the reach of the Khmer Empire over the peninsula, read that notice together with the Ling-wai-tai ta as evidence of dependency. On his account Tambralinga was a dependency of the Khmer Empire throughout the reign of Jayavarman VII (r.1181–1218). David K. Wyatt distrusts that notice, observing that he cannot see how Angkor might have controlled Tambralinga in that year without also controlling Grahi (Chaiya in modern Surat Thani province), and that Chinese compilations of the kind sometimes copied earlier writers uncritically.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1001: 1001 Milestone — Tambralinga first sent an embassy to China under the Song dynasty in 1001.
2. 1225: 1225 Milestone — The same work lists Tambralinga among the dependencies of Angkor for 1225.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Tambralinga

True or False: “The earliest evidence suggesting Tambralinga's political significance dates back to the 5th century CE, predating its later association with Angkor.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): An inscription found in Nakhon Si Thammarat, dated to the 5th century CE and bearing Pallava scripts, mentions 'Tambralingeshvra', indicating early importance.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Tambralinga