Ancient Indian Colonization in South-East Asia c9.52

c9.52

⁹ Prof. K. A. N. Sastri observes: "The data on which Majumdar relies for the supposed first expedition are neither reliable nor conclusive (See *Colas* 1, p. 254 and f.n.)". (*History of Śrī-Vijaya*, p. 79, f.n. 13). As noted above, the conquest of Kaṭāha is mentioned in the Tiruvalangadu plates, dated 1017-8 A.D. I do not know what can be more reliable or conclusive evidence than the explicit statement contained in an inscription. Nor do I find anything against it on p. 254 of the *Colas*, Vol. I referred to by Prof. Sastri. I have already discussed (*Suvarnadvipa*, I, p. 171, f.n. 2) the objection that was raised by the Editor of the inscription, but Prof. Sastri has not referred to it. His only argument seems to be that as 'Rajendra Chola was on friendly terms with the Śailendra king for some time after the death of Rājarāja in 1014 A.D., 1017 appears altogether too early a date for a Chola expedition against Sri-Vijaya' (*Ibid*). But the change from friendship to hostility between two great powers in course of two or three years is not so improbable a contingency that we shall reject on this account the positive statement of a contemporary record.