Ancient Indian Colonization in South-East Asia c9.49

c9.49

Towards the close of the tenth century A.D., a war broke out between Java and San-of-tsi. We learn from the Chinese chronicles that an ambassador from San-of-tsi to China left the imperial capital in A.D. 990, but learnt, on reaching Canton, that his country had been invaded by Java. The war continued till A.D. 992 when the ambassador of San-fo-tsi, still unable or unwilling to go back to his own country, requested the Chinese emperor to issue a decree making San-fo-tsi a protectorate of China. This expression must not be taken at its face-value, and probably means nothing more than mediation or diplomatic support. But in any case it may be taken for granted that Java, which had so long been ruled over by the Śailendras, not only freed herself from their yoke, but also took the aggressive and even invaded their country. But although Java had some initial success the Śailendras triumphed in the long run. In 1003 A.D., San-fo-tsi recovered her strength sufficiently to send an embassy to China. Three years later we hear of Java being destroyed by a great catastrophe. The capital city was burnt to ashes, the king died, and his successor had to take to flight. Although the exact nature of the catastrophe is nowhere stated, all the known details seem to indicate a successful foreign invasion. It has been accordingly suggested that now San-fo-tsi in its turn invaded Java, completely defeated her king, and dealt a final blow to the hated rival after a prolonged struggle. If this view were accepted we must hold that after a temporary eclipse the great empire of Zābag or San-fo-tsi again revived its power and authority to a large extent.