The Relations between Funan Kingdom and the Oriental Countries

Abstract

Funan was an ancient kingdom in the Indochinese Peninsula, formed and developed from the 1^st to the 7^th century CE and lasted until the 12^th century. Funan was situated on the East-West maritime trade route with the bustling port of Oc Eo, one of the most important of its time. The characteristics of Funan reflected Indian cultural and religious elements, especially sculpture, architecture, Buddhist, and Hindu thoughts. Funan is known as the first Indianized state in Southeast Asia. However, ancient Chinese texts from the Southern Qi Dynasty, Liang Dynasty, Jin Dynasty, to the New Tang Dynasty all show the relationship between Funan and the Chinese dynasties. Notably, the peak development period of Funan, reflected in the Oc Eo culture during the 4th - 6th centuries, when referenced to India, marks the golden age of the Gupta Dynasty (320 - 550 CE). According to Chinese records, by 550, the Gupta Dynasty declined, around the same time that Funan was annexed by Chenla. Was this a coincidence, or was there a close relationship between Gupta and Funan? This article relies on archaeological and linguistic sources to point out the relationship between Funan and India (during the Gupta period) and explains why Funan chose the Indian state model, while with China, Funan only maintained diplomatic and trade relations.