Ancient Indian Colonization in South-East Asia c9.38

c9.38

We also learn from the Arab writers that this immense wealth was derived from his absolute control over trade between China and the western countries. He not only commanded the sea routes, but also the land route across the narrow Isthmus of Kra in the Malay Peninsula. This was commanded by the port of Kalah of which he was the master. Abū Zayd Ḥasan remarks that the town of Kalah is the most important commercial centre for trade in aloe, camphor, sandalwood, ivory, tin, ebony, spices and various other articles. There was a regular maritime intercourse between this port and Oman. The cause of all this is explained by Maśūdī. He says that formerly there was a direct voyage between China and ports like Sīrāf and Oman (in Persia and Arabia), but now the port of Kalah serves as the meeting place for the mercantile navies of the two countries. In other words, the Mahārāja of Zābag reaped an immense profit from the world trade between western and eastern Asia which could only pass through seas and lands controlled by him. We can now understand why Śrī-Vijaya extended its conquests to Ligor, and the Śailendras followed in its footsteps. This probably also explains why the Cholas of Southern India wanted to subjugate the Śailendras and extend their authority over the islands of Sumatra and Malay Peninsula which would transfer to them that effective control over the trade between the east and the west which was at the root of the wealth and power, first of Śrī-Vijaya and then of the Śailendras.