RESOURCE: FB ASEAN HERITAGE AND HISTORY
Langkasuka was an ancient Malay (Hindu-Buddhist) kingdom located in Southern Thailand - Northern Malaysia, One of the areas of the Malay Peninsula. The name is Sanskrit in origin; it is thought to be a combination of langkha for "resplendent land" -sukkha for "bliss". The kingdom, along with Old Kedah, is probably among the earliest kingdoms founded on the Malay Peninsula. The exact location of the kingdom is of some debate, but archaeological discoveries at Yarang near Pattani, Thailand suggest a probable location. The kingdom is believed to have been founded in the 2nd century.
According to the legend given in the Kedah Annals claimed that Merong was a descendant of Alexander the Great or Dhul-Qarnayn. More recent legends have also surfaced that say that he was a Hindu prince by the name of Maran Mahavamsam. "Maha" means "great" in Sanskrit while "vamsam" means "lineage or descent".
According to the Kedah Annals, Merong Mahawangsa was an Hindu ruler of an unknown kingdom. He travelled around from kingdom to kingdom, but mostly stayed in Rome. One day, he left Rome to do some trading in China. But then, after he passed the Arabian Sea, he was suddenly attacked by a legendary giant phoenix called Garuda, that destroyed most of Merong's fleet. They fled to the nearest land, which is Bujang Valley, where they settled and founded the kingdom of Langkasuka.
The kingdom is thought to have been founded some time early in the 2nd century AD. It then underwent a period of decline due to the expansion of Funan in the early 3rd century. In the 6th century it experienced a resurgence and began to sent emissaries to China. King Bhagadatta first established relations with China in 515 AD, with further embassies sent in 523, 531 and 568. By the 8th century it had probably come under the control of the rising Srivijaya empire. In 1025 it was attacked by the armies of King Rajendra Chola in his campaign against Srivijaya. In the 12th century Langkasuka was a tributary to Srivijaya, and around the 15th century it was replaced by the Pattani Kingdom.
Chinese and Arab sources placed the ancient kingdom on the east coast of the Malay Peninsula. A 15th century Arab text placed the kingdom south of Songkla, and a Ming Dynastymap showed it lying between Songkla and Pattani. However, a later Malay text Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa placed it on the west coast as the predecessor of modern Kedah, although its sovereign had some association with Pattani.Chinese, Arab and Indian sources however considered Kedah and Langkasuka to be separate geographical entities. The Javanese poem Nagarakretagama placed it north of Saiburi, however it appeared to imply that it was originally located on the west coast but was transferred later to the east.
© Asian SEA Story
Admin_MG
C&P: 12/3/2021 @ 29 REJAB 1442H: 7.31 PM
No comments:
Post a Comment