Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champa; Vol. II: Suvarnadvipa) v2.c20.s2.61

v2.c20.s2.61

Samudra or Sumudra was another important centre of trade. A short history of this kingdom has been given before (Part I, pp. 370 ff). During the Sung dynasty it had the reputation of possessing much gold, silver, and silk, whilst the skill of its artisans was highly praised. It retained its importance down to the seventeenth century.⁴ Ma Huan refers to it as an important emporium of the western seas. “This place is visited by many native ships and the trade in native articles is very important.”⁵ It was agriculturally poor, producing only rice, but neither barley nor wheat. But it produced pepper and sulphur while the people raised silk-worms. Gold and tin coins were used for trade. The gold coin was called ti-na-erh (dīnāra ?).⁶ The place was filled with merchandise brought by passing foreign ships.⁷ “Merchants from all sides collect at this place, and as the country is distant and the prices high, the Chinese who go there make more profit than anywhere else.”⁸