Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champa; Vol. II: Suvarnadvipa) v2.c13.s2.t8: 2. San-fo-tsi
Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champā; Vol. II: Suvarṇadvīpa) v2.c13.s2.t8
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2. San-fo-tsi
v2.c13.s2.t8.1
The same Chinese history tells us¹ that although Java had completely conquered San-fo-tsi he could not keep all the lands. Two states were established there with two Chinese adventurers at their head. Although they nominally admitted the suzerainty of Java, they sent regular tributes and envoys to the imperial court. Then they ceased to care either for Java or for China. It is interesting to note that in 1397 the Chinese emperor dared not send envoys direct to Java for fear that they will be waylaid by San-fo-tsi, and hence he approached Siam as an intermediary to carry his message to Java so that she might warn San-fo-tsi. Thus China recognised at least the nominal suzerainty of Java over San-fo-tsi. In 1405 and succeeding years, however, there were regular changes of embassies between China and San-fo-tsi, without any reference to Java. In 1424 a king of San-fo-tsi even asked permission of the emperor to succeed his father. It is evident that from the beginning of the fifteenth century A.D. Java exercised but little real authority in that country.
v2.c13.s2.t8.2
¹ Ibid, p. 71.