Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champa; Vol. II: Suvarnadvipa) v1.c7.s12: Chapter XII. The Annamite Conquest of Champa
Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champā; Vol. II: Suvarṇadvīpa) v1.c7.s12
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Chapter XII. The Annamite Conquest of Champa
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The kingdom of Champā was now without a king and there was probably no legitimate heir to the throne. On the recommendation of the victorious Annamite general, the Emperor appointed a military chief called A-Nan as his viceroy in Champā (1318 A. D.).
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A-Nan behaved exactly like his predecessor. As soon as he felt himself powerful enough he tried to shake off the Annamite yoke. For this purpose he commenced negotiations with the Mongols who had never ceased to demand contributions from Champā. In 1321 A-Nan received the order to send some domesticated elephants, and sent an ambassador with the tribute in 1322. Next year he sent his brother to the Chinese Emperor asking for assistance against his powerful neighbour in the north. The Emperor Jen Tsong agreed to this and sent ambassadors to Ninh Hoàng asking him to respect the integrity of Champā (1324). Ninh Hoàng replied to this message by sending an expedition against Champā in 1326. But it led to disasters. A-Nan defeated his army and henceforth ceased to consider himself as his vassal.
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On the other hand A-Nan continued his relations with the Mongols, and sent ambassadors to the Chinese court in 1327, 1328 and 1330. Then he ceased to send them and reigned as an independent sovereign. Neither Annam nor China was in a position to make an effective protest against this. In the case of the former, the practice, which had hardened into a custom, for the emperors of the Tran dynasty to abdicate the throne in favour of a boy made it impossible to assert its rights, while the discord between the Mongols and the native inhabitants in China enfeebled the central authority there. Thus A-Nan reigned during the last eleven years as an independent king and brought back peace and tranquility to the kingdom which had not known it for a long time.
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A-Nan had a son-in-law Trà Hoà Bo De and placed more confidence in him than in his own son Che Mo. Bo De, while outwardly showing great affection for Che Mo, excited popular sentiment against him, and ingratiated himself into the favour of the military chiefs. Thus when A-Nan died, Bo De had no difficulty in removing Che Mo and making himself king in his place (June, 1342).
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Che Mo did not take this act of usurpation lying down. He collected the loyal people and fought with Bo De for the throne. Being defeated he sought protection in the court of Annam. The king of Annam took advantage of this to demand tribute of Bo De and the latter hastened to send an ambassador; but his presents were considered insufficient.
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At the same time although Che Mo was well received, and his presents accepted with thanks, no preparation was made for sending an expedition to Champā in his favour. At last, tired of waiting, one day he addressed the king of Annam: "My lord, in old days a king of Champā was very fond of a monkey and announced a reward of 10,000 gold coins for anyone who could train it to speak. At last a man offered to do it in three years, on condition of receiving 100 gold coins every month. "Within these three years" said he, "either the king or the monkey or I shall die." The king of Annam understood the import of the parable, and sent an expedition (1353), but as the army did not meet with the navy at the appointed place, it came back. Che Mo, who returned with the army, died shortly afterwards.
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Bo De, elated beyond measure at the retreat of the Annamite troops, now took the offensive in order to reconquer the northern districts, but he was defeated in his first attack (1353 A. D.) and gave up the enterprise.
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Bo De was succeeded by Che Bong Nga. The date of his accession and his relationship with Bo De are alike unknown. But it is probable that he came to the throne sometime about 1360 A. D.
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The reign of Che Bong Nga was remarkable for a series of victorious campaigns against Annam. In 1361 he suddenly raided the port of Da Li (Li-Hoa in Botrach). Having put to flight the soldiers who defended it, he pillaged the town and its neighbourhood, massacred the population and returned by sea with an immense booty. Next year he plundered the chief town of Hoa Chau. In 1365 the Chams carried away the boys and girls of Hoa Chau who gathered to celebrate a festival according to local custom.
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At last in 1368 Du Hoang, the king of Annam, sent a powerful army against Champa, but Che Bong Nga lay in ambush, surprised them completely, and put them to a precipitate retreat.
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In the meantime Tchou Youen-Tchang had driven away the last Mongol emperor from China and ascended the throne under the name of Houng Wou (1368). He founded the Imperial Ming dynasty and installed his court at Nanking. His first care was to re-establish the unity of the empire, and with this view he ordered all his vassal states to pay allegiance to the Emperor. Che Bong Nga had already sent tributes to the new emperor, and the latter was pleased to send presents to him and confer upon him the title of “King of Champa.” The Cham king sent another ambassador in 1370, and continued to pay the homage regularly year after year. Houng Wou sent one of his officers to Champa to offer propitiatory sacrifices to the spirit of the mountains and rivers and to institute an examination for the students. At the same time he enjoined upon both Annam and Champa to cease their quarrels and live on good terms with each other.
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Du Hoang, the king of Annam, died in June, 1369. One of his younger sons was placed on the throne by the intrigues of the queen-mother. But Phu, the brother of the deceased king, revolted against him, put him into prison and ascended the throne under the name of Nghia-Hoang (1370 A. D.). The queen-mother Du'o'ng Khu'o'ng then fled to Champa and enlisted the help of Che Bong Nga. In 1371 the latter sailed with a fleet and marched unopposed to the capital. He pillaged the city, burnt the royal palace and returned with a rich booty (1371).
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Next year, Che Bong Nga, with impudent effrontery, wrote a long letter to the Chinese Emperor, complaining that the Annamite troops had invaded his territory and were harassing his people. "I beg your Majesty," the letter concluded, "to send me some military equipments, instruments of music and some musicians. Then Annam will see that the kingdom of Champa is tributary to your Majesty, and will not dare to molest it". This direct perversion of truth was apparently intended to forestall the complaints of Annam, and assure the neutrality of China. The Chinese Emperor fell into the trap. He did not send the things asked for, but sent a long letter in reply, observing, among others, "that from this day forth Annam must take back his army, and Champa should make peace with her, so that the two countries might be content with their own legitimate dominions." Further, Che Bong Nga pleased the Emperor beyond measure by presenting to him the rich booty which he had taken from the pirates subdued by him (1373).
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In the meantime, Nghia-Hoang had abdicated the throne of Annam in favour of Kham Hoang (1372). The new King resolved to avenge the insult that Champā had inflicted upon his dynasty, and made preparations on a large scale. As soon as Che Bong Nga came to know of this, he hastened to communicate to the Chinese Emperor that he was attacked by the Annamites. The latter, tired of these reciprocal complaints, justly observed that if this year Champā complained of Annamite aggression, last year it was Annam who demanded aid against the aggression of the Chams, and that consequently it was impossible to know who was in the wrong. He again advised both of them to suspend their war-like activities and live on good terms with each other.
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After a great deal of delay, Kham Hoang at last marched at the head of more than 1,20,000 men in January 1377, and arrived unopposed before the town of Vijaya which was surrounded by a palisade. There a Cham reported to Kham Hoang that the town was deserted, that the king had taken to flight, and that by a quick march he could yet overtake the king. Heedless of the prudent counsels of his generals, Kham Hoang marched with his army which advanced pell mell without any order or organisation. When they had proceeded some distance the Chams suddenly fell upon them and intercepted their passage. This produced such a panic in the Annamite army that it was completely routed. The Emperor with his two commanders-in-chief and several other nobles lay dead on the field.
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Immediately after this great victory Che Bong Nga sailed with a fleet towards the capital of Annam. Gian Hoang who was hastily proclaimed king made arrangements for defending it, but Che Bong Nga entered into the town and pillaged it for a whole day. He returned with an immense booty which was sent as tribute to the Chinese Emperor. Next year he again marched towards Annam. Having conquered Nghe-An, and appointed there his own governor, he plundered the capital and returned with an immense booty. A part of this was sent as tribute to the Chinese Emperor.
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Henceforth the people of Annam lived in constant terror of the Chams. The Emperor Gian Hoang removed his treasures to the mountains of Thien Kien and the caves of Kha lang for saving them from the cupidity of the Chams (1379). And it was well indeed that he had done so. For inspite of the injunctions of the Chinese Emperor to leave the Annamites in peace Che Bong Nga led a new expedition against them in 1380. The old king of Annam made preparations for defending the country both by land and sea and at last succeeded in inflicting a defeat upon Che Bong Nga who took to flight.
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Inspite of this defeat Che Bong Nga remained master of Thuan Hoa, Tan-Binh and Nghe-An, and his constant incursions against Than Hoa reduced the Annamite authority over that province almost to a shadow. In 1382 he invaded Than Hoa, but this time also he met with disaster; a part of his navy was burnt and his army retreated with great loss (1382).
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Nothing undaunted, Che Bong Nga formed a daring plan. As he was unsuccessful at sea, and the defiles between Than Hoa and Ninh Binh were well guarded by the Annamites, he marched with his commander-in-chief La-khai over the high ranges, across mountains and forests, and descended at a point north of the Annamite capital (1383). After inflicting a heavy loss upon the enemy he returned to his kingdom in 1384.
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Five years later, Che Bong Nga led another victorious expedition. By a ruse he completely defeated the Annamite army and advanced towards the capital. He reached the river Hai Trieu and there was nothing to prevent him from occupying the whole country. The situation appeared so desperate that the younger brother of the Annamite Emperor passed over to the camp of Che Bong Nga, expecting no doubt to be appointed to the government of Annam after its conquest.
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But at this moment the treachery of a Cham military officer changed the whole complexion of things. As Che Bong Nga advanced with about 100 vessels to reconnoitre the forces of the enemy, one of his officers, who was reprimanded and afraid of his life, passed over to the enemy and told them that the king's vessel was easily recognisable by its green colour. On learning this the Annamite commander made for the Cham navy and asked his men to concentrate the fury of their attack on the royal vessel. Suddenly a volley of musketry was fired at Che Bong Nga and he fell dead. The Chams lost heart at the sudden death of their chief and beat a precipitate retreat to rejoin the main army which was stationed at the river Hoang under the command of the general La Khai (February, 1390). La Khai immediately led back the army by forced marches day and night. The enemy overtook him but was easily defeated. As soon as he reached Champa he proclaimed himself king of the country. The two sons of Che Bong Nga, deprived of their legitimate rights, sought protection in the Annamite court. But although received there with honours and distinction they could not secure any support to regain their throne.
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La Khai, who thus established a new dynasty, is almost certainly to be identified with Śrī Jaya Siṃhavarmadeva V Śrī Harijatti Virasiṃha Champa-pura, the founder of the Brsu family of kings.¹
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¹ Binh Dinh Ins. (No. 117). The identity was first established by Finot (B. E. F. vol. XV, No. 2, p. 14). Maspero
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One of the first acts of Jaya Simhavarmadeva was to send tributes to the Chinese Emperor Tái Tsou. But the Emperor, who had himself usurped the throne by driving away his master, refused to accept the tribute from the usurper (1391). Jaya Simhavarman did not insist, but he again sent the tribute in 1397, and it was accepted. The tribute was renewed in 1399.
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Immediately after the death of Che Bong Nga, the two provinces Tan Binh and Thuan Hoa, which he had annexed, made submission to Annam. It is probable that other parts of Champā, too, did not acknowledge the authority of Jaya Simhavarmadeva. We hear indeed of a Cham general seeking protection in Annam in 1397 with his family. Everything indicates an unsettled time, but unfortunately we know very little of the reign of Jaya Simhavarmadeva. He ruled for twelve years (1390-1401), and was succeeded by Śrī Viṣu Viṣṇujatti Vīra Bhadravarmadeva.¹ The king was formerly called prince Nauk Glaun Vijaya² and after a reign of 32 years he was consecrated and took the name Śrī Biṣu Indravarman.³
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¹ Binh Dinh Ins. (No. 117).
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² Bien Hoa Ins [No. 121].
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³ Nui Ben-Lang Ins. [No. 122].
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The Annamites had never given up their intention of conquering Champā and led an expedition against it in 1401. Vīra Bhadravarman, who had just ascended the throne, opposed the enemy vigorously and forced them to retreat. It was with considerable difficulties that the Annamite forces could regain their own territory.
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In 1402, the Annamite army again invaded Champā. Bhadravarman sent his general to oppose them, but he was
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identifies Jaya Simhavarmadeva with the successor of La khai (T'oung Pao 1913. p. 156.)
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killed in a fight with the vanguards of the enemy. The king was now terribly afraid for his life and throne, and sent his maternal uncle with rich presents to treat with the enemy. He offered the rich province of Indrapura on condition of cessation of hostilities and the retreat of the Annamite troops. The Annamites demanded Quang Nghia in addition, and thus the whole of Quang-Nam and Quang-Ngai, the ancient Amarāvatī, was ceded to the enemy. It was a terrible blow to the power and prestige of Champā. The ancient capital of Indrapura was full of accumulated riches and trophies and was associated with the glorious days of the past. The province of Amarāvatī was also one of the richest and the most fertile. By this humiliating treaty the kingdom of Champā was reduced to half its size; it lost its rich fertile regions in the northern plain, and was confined to poor mountainous regions in the south.
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The Chams of the ceded provinces could ill brook the Annamite domination. Although a son of Che Bong Nga was appointed as their governor, they emigrated in large numbers. King Bhadravarman also repented of his act. He sent a pathetic appeal to the Chinese Emperor (1403), and the latter sent two plenipotentiaries to the Annamite court, asking it to leave its neighbour in peace. The Annamites replied by sending a force, 200,000 strong, against Champā both by way of land and sea.
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Bhadravarman had been assured by the Chinese Emperor that Annam would leave him in peace. He, therefore, hastened to inform that Emperor of the new expedition. On the 5th September, 1404, his ambassador arrived at the Imperial court with a rich present consisting of a rhinoceros and other indigenous products, and delivered his message to the emperor. It ran as follows;
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In a recent report I have informed your Majesty that
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Annam had violated our territories and killed and carried away men and animals, and at my request your Majesty was pleased to order the king of Annam to withdraw his army. But the latter has not complied with the order of your Majesty In the fourth month of the year (between 9th May and 8th June 1404) he again ravaged the frontiers of my country and caused sufferings to my people. Recently, during the return journey of my ambassador who had gone to pay the tribute to the Imperial court, all the presents sent to me by your Majesty were forcibly taken by the Annamites. Moreover, in order to indicate my vassalage to him, the king of Annam has forced me to use his crown, dress and seal. Besides, he has seized upon Cha-li-ya and other places in my kingdom. Still, even now he does not cease to attack and molest my territories. I fear I have not the power to protect myself and I therefore place my kingdom at the feet of your Majesty and request you to have it administered by your officials."¹
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¹ The letter is quoted in the Chinese text "Ngan-nan ki cheou len-mo", composed between 1404-1432 A. D. It is thus a contemporary record. cf. B. E. F. vol. XIV, No. 9, p. 42.
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The Chinese Emperor became furious and asked his minister to send an ambassador. He also sent battleships in aid of Bhadravarman. These met the Annamite fleet which retreated before it without fighting. The Annamite army which besieged Vijaya also raised the siege and turned back, because their provisions ran short and the town was well defended.
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Tch'eng Tsou then sent presents to Bhadravarman and wrote to Han Thu'o'ng, the Annamite emperor, condemning his action (1404). The latter was unwilling to provoke the wrath of his powerful neighbour. He, therefore, returned to him the two elephants which the king of Champa had sent to China, but which he intercepted and kept with him, believing, said he "that they were presented to him by the Cham king for delaying the despatch of troops."
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But Tch'eng Tsou was now inclined to fight with his turbulent neighbour, and the king of Champā excited him to this action. Although Han Thùo'ng tried to avoid war, he was forced to it, and it was fatal to himself and to his dynasty. In July, 1407, he fell into the hands of the Chinese with his father and son, and they all died in exile.
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Vīra Bhadravarman, gratified beyond all measure at this defeat of his implacable enemy, sent a sumptuous tribute to the Emperor, and received in return a still more sumptuous present. He then sent an expedition to recover the ceded provinces. The Annamite forces who defended it were easily defeated, the son of Che Bong Nga who still governed the provinces on behalf of the Annamites lay dead on the field, and the two provinces, ceded in 1402, passed again into the hands of Champā.
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In the meantime, after a long struggle, the Chinese general Tchang Fou became the undisputed master of the whole of Annamite territory which was reduced to the position of a Chinese province. The Chinese general now coveted the two Cham provinces which were ceded to Annam in 1402, but were reconquered by Vīra Bhadravarman as stated above. The Chinese general even solicited the permission of the Emperor to lead an expedition against Champā. The Emperor was not, however, willing to go so far, but he ordered the king of Champā to restore the two provinces. The latter offered excuses and sent regular tributes, but did not give up the provinces.
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Soon the whole situation was changed. In 1428 the Chinese were finally driven out of Annam by Le Lo'i who proclaimed himself emperor. Vīra Bhadravarman hastened to make friends with him, and sent an ambassador who came back with rich presents. But six years later, when Le Lo'i died and was succeeded by a boy of 11 years, Bhadravarman regarded it as a suitable opportunity for renewing the attacks against Annam. In 1434 he sent an expedition by both land and sea. Two of his men were taken prisoners by the Annamites. They were made to review the Annamite army and then sent back. Bhadravarman, having learnt from them the military strength of the enemy, wished for peace. The plenipotentiaries were exchanged and the pacific relations were established between the two countries in 1434.
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Free from troubles in the north by the Chinese victory over the Annamites in 1407, Bhadravarman had invaded Cambodge, and made himself master of it. The king of that country Chau Poaha Yat complained to the Chinese Emperor in 1408, and again in 1414, and asked for his assistance. The Chinese Emperor addressed a letter to Vira Bhadravarman asking him to withdraw his troops from Cambodge and leave it in peace. What came out of it we do not know, but in an inscription dated 1421 A. D. ‘the king is said to have vanquished the Annamites and taken possession of a kingdom called Brah Kanda. He gained innumerable victories, erected an image of Visnu called Tribhuvanākrānta, and appropriated the booty he had taken from the Khmers to the service of the god.’¹ The king, besides, made various rich gifts to Śrīśāna (Śrīśānabhadreśvara’)
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¹ Bien Hoa Ins. ( No. 121)
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It was during his reign that Nicolo de Conti visited Champā. He went west from the island of Java “towards a maritime city named Ciampa rich in Aloe wool, camphor and gold.” Vira Bhadravarman was the last king who has left inscriptions in the Cham language. After him Champā knew peace no longer. It remained a scene of civil war and foreign invasion till its downfall at no distant date.
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Vīra Bhadravarman died in 1441 A. D. and was succeeded by his nephew Mahā Vijaya. In a letter to the Ming Emperor he declared himself to have been nominated to the succession by his uncle himself; but his nephew and successor Mahā Qui Lai later on advanced a similar claim, and announced that as he was too young, he had abdicated the throne in favour of his uncle. The probability seems to be that the death of Bhadravarman was followed by a civil war for succession and his nephew Mahā Vijaya came out successful at first.
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Immediately after his accession Mahā Vijaya sent an ambassador to the Chinese Emperor and asked for investiture, representing that his uncle had left the throne to him by a formal testament. The Emperor nominated him king of Champā and sent presents for the king and the queen.
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Having thus been assured of friendship or at least the neutrality of China, Mahā Vijaya commenced the old tactics of harassing the Annamite frontier. He sent expedition against the border province of Hoa Chau in 1444, and again in 1445. The second one was disastrous, for the army was suddenly caught during an inundation at the citadel of An Dung, and suffered severe losses.
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The Annamite court, tired of these border campaigns, resolved to carry the fight into the heart of Champā. They tried to secure the neutrality of China, and represented, that taking advantage of the young age of their Emperor, Mahā Vijaya made plundering raids into the province of Hoa Chau and inflicted considerable damages upon the country. The Chinese Emperor rebuked the king of Champā and asked him to fix the limits of the two countries and forswear all war in future. "You must" concluded he "issue strict commands to the officers of your frontier posts not to lead any incursion against the Annamites.” At the same time he asked the Annamites to refrain from commencing a war of vengeance against their neighbour. But the Annamites had already assembled their troops and collected the munitions of war. Their army entered into Champa, defeated the enemy troops and besieged the capital city Vijaya (1446 A. D.). Mahā Vijaya shut himself up into the city with all his troops, and hoped to be able to defy the enemy. But he was betrayed by his nephew Mahā Qui-Lai. On condition of being recognised as king of Champa he delivered up the city to the Annamites. Mahā Vijaya was made prisoner with his wives and concubines and the enemy returned to their country with an immense booty. Amid pompous ceremonies, the captive king was presented to the ancestors’ of the Annamite Emperor. Most of the Cham prisoners were then released but the king was not allowed to return, although the Chinese Emperor sent an order to that effect. Nevertheless he was well treated. He was allowed to put on his royal costume and invited to the feast offered to the ambassadors of his country (1447).
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Mahā Qui-Lai asked for formal investiture from both the Annamite and Chinese courts, and his request was granted by both. The Chinese Emperor repeated to him his advice to be on friendly terms with the Annamite Court. He listened to this counsel and sent tributes to Annam (1447). But he could not long enjoy the sovereignty which he had purchased by betraying his king and his country. He was dethroned by his younger brother Qui-Do who threw him into prison and declared himself king (1449).
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The Annamite Emperor Nho’n Ton was very angry and refused the homage of the new king. “A subject” said he “who assassinates his king, and a younger brother who kills his elder, merits an exemplary punishment according to all laws, both ancient and modern. I categorically refuse all your presents and return them." He further sent an officer to Champā to obtain first-hand information about the recent happenings in that country. Apprehensive of the results of this inquiry Qui-Do sent another ambassador to the Annamite court. But he did not fare better than his predecessor. When questioned about the crime of his royal master he could not give any reply but simply made the most humble obeisance. Nho’n Ton not only dismissed him but recalled all the Annamites settled in Champā, and wrote a strong letter to Qui-Do. "In a kingdom" said he "there must be a king and his subjects; this is an eternal principle. You Chams, you dare transgress this eternal law. When the old king had died, you elected Bi-Cai (Mahā Vijaya) to the throne, instead of the son of the late king. He refused to respect our authority and created troubles for us. He was punished for his crime and fell in our hands. You then demanded investiture for Qui-Lai and again abandoned him for placing Qui-Do on the throne. Are you then devoid of all principles and fidelity? Do you regard the king as merely a piece on a chess-board?"
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The Cham king could very well retort by pointing out the support which the Annamite court had extended to the traitor and regicide whom he had displaced. But it was the logic of the strong towards the weak. Qui-Do sent back about 70 Annamites (1449) and did not make any further attempt to establish friendly relations with the Annamite court.
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Some time elapsed before Qui-Do asked for investiture from China. In 1449 the Chinese Emperor Ying Tsong was made prisoner by the Mongols and his brother King had ascended the throne. The delay of Qui-Do in asking for investiture was probably due to these events. But in 1453 he sent ambassadors to the Emperor King. They reported the death of Mahā Qui-Lai and requested that his brother Mahā Qui-Do might be recognised as king. Their prayer was granted. When the Emperor Ying Tsong recovered the throne, Qui-Do took oath of allegiance again in 1457.
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Towards the close of 1457 or the beginning of the next year Qui-Do was assassinated by the son of a nurse at the instance of Mahā Bàn-La Trà-Nguyet. The latter then ascended the throne. He was a nobleman and had married a daughter as well as a niece of Mahā Vijaya. The new king was recognised by China but he did not pay any homage to the Annamite Emperor. The result was the renewal of hostility between the two countries, and once the Cham king lodged a formal complaint to the Chinese Emperor against the incursions of the Annamites. The king did not reign long, having abdicated the throne in 1460 in favour of his younger brother, Bàn-La Trà-Toàn.
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The new king inherited the enmity of Annam which his predecessor's action had provoked. The Annamite Emperor Thành Ton pretended that Champā was a feudatory state of his and demanded some white elephants of the king. Trà Toàn who had already been recognised by China, now requested the Chinese Emperor to send an official to fix a definite frontier between the two countries. The new Emperor Hien Tsong was dissuaded by his advisers from trying to establish peace between two countries which had been enemies for such a long time, and he simply asked the king of Champā to maintain peace.
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Trà-Toàn, unable to defy Annam without the help of China, sent tributes to Thành Ton in 1467. But the latter persisted in his contention of being treated by Champā exactly on the same footing as the Chinese Emperor, and demanded a supplementary tribute consisting of rhinoceros, elephants and many precious objects. The Cham ambassador represented that he was unable to concede the additional demand without a reference to his master, and asked Thành Ton to send an envoy to Champā to settle this question. Trà-Toàn, however, refused this new demand and informed Hien Tsong of it (1469). He resolved to maintain the independence of his country at any cost and decided to risk a war.
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He first sent a naval expedition against Hoa Chau (1469) and next year invaded the province at the head of an army 100,000 strong. He had a strong cavalry and a number of war elephants with him. The Annamite general, unable to oppose this vast army, shut himself up in his stronghold, and informed Thành Ton of his precarious situation.
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The Emperor was waiting for this very opportunity. He at once made extensive preparations for the campaign. Then, with a view to avoid hostility with China, he sent an ambassador to Hien Tsong informing him of the war in which he suddenly found himself involved. He also explained the cause of the war, and particularly emphasised the repeated Cham incursions against the frontier of Hoa Chau. Lastly, he issued a long proclamation addressed to the Chams. "In a month", said he, "peace will reign again . . . . . your last hour is near at hand". He reproached them for the accusations they made to the Chinese Emperor against himself, for the way in which they treated his ambassadors, for the assassination of their king, and for raising Trà-Toàn to the throne. He exposed the tyranny of the usurper in the following words: "Boys and girls are forced to the corvee, and widows are ill-treated. You have to pay most excessive taxes and it must be a great trial for you to see the people of Śri Vini¹ raised to high offices and honours." The proclamation continued: "you have imprisoned men and women of my country and given shelter to the fugitives whom we want.........When I am at peace, you assemble a band of men and attack my country. But as soon as I take the field you wag your tail like a dog, and ask for pardon. I have now, by the order of God, brought a magnificent army and brave soldiers for chastising you and showing you my majesty. I have resolved to conquer your kingdom and thus to wipe away the disgrace inflicted upon the preceding emperors."
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¹ This was the birth-place of the king.
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After issuing this proclamation the Emperor offered solemn prayers for victory before the altar of his ancestors. He had already despatched a magnificent fleet containing 100,000 men, and now started in person with 150,000 soldiers. The huge army reached the soil of Champā in safety (1471). Trà-Toàn sent his younger brother with 5,000 men on elephants to surprise the enemy camp. But the small force was hemmed round in all sides and practically cut off by the enemy.
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Trà-Toàn was very much alarmed at the news of this disaster and sent a member of his family to the emperor to offer submission. But the latter continued to advance, seized Śrī Vini, and at last invested the capital city Vijaya. The city was taken by assault without much difficulty. 60,000 Chams were put to the sword, and 30,000 made prisoners. Fifty members of the royal family fell into the hands of the conqueror. Trà-Toàn was led before the Emperor. "Art thou the Lord of Champā?" asked he; "Yes my Lord" was the reply. "Who do you think am I?" "One glance at your face is enough to tell me that you are the Emperor." "How many children have you?" "More than ten."
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Thánh Ton constructed a shed outside the palace to guard the prisoners. As his officers were jostling against Trà-Toàn he asked them to treat that king with more respect. "He was the lord of this country", said he, "it is not right to treat him thus." But Trà-Toàn did not long survive the disgrace.
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Abandoned by all, even by the Chinese emperor, who for fear of provoking the hostility of Annam did not even dare to ask for his release, deprived of his wives¹ and attendants, he fell ill and died in a ship on his way to Annam. His body was burnt and the ashes cast into the winds, but the head was fastened to the forepart of the imperial vessel with a white flag on which the following words were inscribed; "This is the head of the very wicked Trá-Toàn of the kingdom of Champā."
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¹ Only two were allowed to accompany him.
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Meanwhile a Cham general Bo Trì Trì collected the remnants of the army and took refuge in Pāṇḍuraṅga. There he proclaimed himself king and sent an ambassador to offer the oath of allegiance and tribute to Thánh Ton who accepted them. The mountains which separate the present provinces of Phu Yen and Khan Hoa and terminate in cape Varella henceforth formed the boundary between Annam and Champā. A boundary stone marked the limit.
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Thus not only the whole of Amarāvatī which was once ceded in 1402, but retaken by the Chams again in 1407, but also the whole of the province of Vijaya passed into the hands of the Annamites. The kingdom of Champā, which now consisted only of Kauthāra and Pāṇḍuraṅga, was thus reduced to nearly one-fifth of what it was even in the days of Che Bong Nga. Even the small territory that remained (viz; the modern districts of Khan Hoa and Binh Thuan) was absolutely at the mercy of the powerful Annamites.
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But old prestige dies hard. The petty Cham chiefs of the south still bore the proud name of the king of Champā, and the Chinese emperor not only invested them as such, but even called upon the Annamites to restore the provinces of Vijaya and Amarāvatī to them. Three kings received formal investiture in this way from the Chinese court. The first, Tchai-Ya-Ma-Fou-Ngan, said to be the nephew of a former king, died in 1478. He was probably killed by his brother Kou Lai who succeeded him and ruled from 1478 to 1505 A. D. His son and successor Cha-Kou-Pou-Lo received formal investiture from the Chinese court in 1509 A. D. and sent an ambassador to China in 1543 A. D. This was the last embassy from the king of Champa to the Chinese court.
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The king had a tragic end. Taking advantage of some troubles among the Annamites he made a last desperate effort to free himself from the Annamite yoke. But he was defeated and confined in an iron cage where he died. The Annamites on this occasion annexed the Cham territory up to the river of Phanrang. The seat of the kingdom of Champa was then removed to Bal Chanar at Phanri. There in 1720 the officers of the SS. Galathee saw the king of Champa seated on a throne and have left us an interesting account of the palace.¹ In course of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries the Chams were dispossessed of Khan Hoa and Phan Rang. In 1822, Po Chong, the last king, unable to bear the oppressions of the Annamites, passed over to Cambodge with a colony of exiles, leaving princess Po Bia to guard over the so-called "Royal treasures of Cham" at Bal Chanar. She died a few years ago, mourned by her faithful subjects who looked upon her as the last emblem of their independence.
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¹ B. E. F., vol V, pp. 385-386.
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Thus closes a brilliant chapter in the history of Indian colonisation. Brave sons of India, who planted her banner in far off lands and maintained its honour and dignity for more than 1500 years, at last vanished into the limbo of oblivion. But the torch of civilisation which they carried dispelled the darkness of ages and still throws its lurid light over the pages of history.
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1. A-Nan ( 1318—1342 A. D. )
2. Bo De ( 1342—c. 1360 A. D. ) ( Son-in-law of No. 1 )
3. Che Bong Nga ( c. 1360-1390 A. D. )
4. La Khai or Jaya Simhavarman V ( 1390—1401 A. D. )
5. Bhadravarman V ( 1401—1441 A. D. ) or Indravarman XII ( Son of No. 4 )
6. Maha Vijaya ( 1441—1446 A. D. ) ( Nephew of No. 5 )
7. Maha Qui Lai ( 1446—1449 A. D. ) ( Nephew of No. 6 )
8. Maha Qui-Do ( 1449—c. 1457 A. D. ) ( Younger brother of No. 7 )
9. Maha Ban-La-Tra-Nguyet ( 1457—1460 A. D. ) ( Son-in-law of No. 6 )
10. Ban-La Tra-Toan ( 1460—1471 A. D. ) ( Younger brother of No. 9 )
11. Bo Tri Tri ( acc. 1471 A. D. ? )
12. Tchai-Ya-Ma-Fou-Ngan ( died in 1478 A. D. )
13. Kou-Lai ( 1478—1505 A. D. ) ( Brother of No. 12 )
14. Cha-Kou-Pou-Lo ( 1505—c. 1543 A. D. )