Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champa; Vol. II: Suvarnadvipa) v2.c13.380

v2.c13.380

Cœdès, however, ignores the fact that Pelliot’s identification of Lang-ya-su with Tenasserim was a very hypothetical one, based upon its resemblance with Nankasi, the old name of Tenasserim. His main point was that it should be located in Tenasserim or Malay Peninsula, because it is inserted between Śrī-Kṣetra (Prome) and Dvārāvatī (Siam). As a matter of fact he himself suggested the Isthmus of Kra as a probable location, as, according to I-tsing, the Chinese pilgrims frequently passed through Lang-kia-su on their way from China to India or back. Even, therefore, if Leṅkasuka is located near Keddah, there does not seem to be any insuperable objection in placing Lang-ya-su or Lang-kia-su also in that locality. It must be remembered that the kingdon, according to the History of the Liang Dynasty, ‘was 30 days’ pacing from east to west and 20 days’ pacing from north to south.’ It may, therefore, be regarded as having comprised the northern part of the Malay Peninsula extending as far south as Keddah. Rouffaer, however, places both Lang-kia-su and Leṅkasuka in Johore in the southern part of the Malay Peninsula.¹.