Indo-Ceylonese Relations (B.C. 400 to 1200 A.D.)

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

About the Book

This book is examined in detail the ancient relation between India and Sri Lanka in the period of B.C. 400 to 1200 AD. This book is designed to give a clear account of the early history of Sri Lanka. The importance of this book lies in conclusively establishing the linkages between on the one hand the transmission of Buddhism from India to Sri Lanka, and on the other, the trade in commercial items that went on between these two countries. It deals not only with the political and cultural relations between India and Sri Lanka but also includes religion, trade and commerce and migration in early times.
The reciprocal relations between India and Sri Lanka, have a sanctity which distinguished them from Sri Lanka's other contacts overseas. This book gives an extensive idea of early history. First, migration has been continuing since very early times due to economic causes.
Migrations usually involve people who have been expelled by rulers during war or other political upheavals or who have been forcibly transported as slaves or prisoners.
The second chapter, informs that the greatest links between India and Sri Lanka in the realm of religion. In chapter three, political relations between India and Sri Lanka have been described. Politically Sri Lanka received a series of Indian invaders, for examples chola Chera, Pallava. In chapter fourth, I have tried to study the trade and commerce in early times. A study of Buddhist institutional expansion and ritual activity shows the significant role of Buddhism in stimulating Indo- Sri Lanka trade. This book also underlines as the important bridge between the two regions.

About the Author

Dr. Shambhu Nath Mishra born in 1965 at Jagatpur village in Supaul district of Bihar and comes from a freedom fighter family.
He passed Matric (1ª Div) from T.H. School, Garh-Baruari, Supaul in 1980 and passed Intermediate Science from R.M. College, Saharsa, L.N.M. University, Darbhanga in 1982. He obtained his B.A (1 class) History degree from C.M. College, Darbhanga in 1986 from L.N.M. University, and M.A. in History (1ª class) to his credit from the same University in 1999. Не has completed Ph.D. in 2003 from Magadh University, Bodh Gaya. He has also worked as Research Investigator for the project entitled DIRECTORY OF FREEDOM FIGHTER OF BIHAR in Bihar Govt: Archives under K.P. Jayaswal Research Institute, Museum Building, Patna. He has great interest in research work.

Acknowledgements

I express a deep sense of gratitude to Dr. Bijoy Kumar Chaudhary, Direc-tor, K. P. Jayaswal, Research Institute, Museum Building, Patna for his superb guidance and encouragement. His valuable guidance, suggestion and encour-agement helped me to complete this work. It is my supreme duty to express my sincere and deep gratitude to Dr. P. N. Singh, Professor, Deptt. Of A.I.H.C and Archaeology of Banaras Hindu University, Varansi for his encouragement, guidance and valuable advice, which I received from him at every steps in the preparation of this book.
I owe to my father Sri Deo Narayan Mishra, a venerated person, who is like a beacon to me, in bringing this book from darkness to light.
I have no words to express gratitude to my elder brother Sri Binod Kumar Mishra (Asst Accountant) Godda Mahila College, Jharkhand and Sri Amar Nath Mishra. I am equally grateful to my sister-in-law Smt Pratima Mishra. All took personal interest in this work.
I am equally grateful to my brother-in-law Sri Shambhu Nath Jha, Branch Manager, Central Bank of India. He personally took a great interest and pro-vided all types of help & support.
I am debted to the Khuda Baksh Oriental Public Library, Patna, National Library, Kolkata, A.N. Sinha Institute of Social Science, Patna, K.P. Jayaswal Research Institute, Patna, History Department, Darbhanga House, Library, Patna University, Sinha Library, Patna.
I am also thankful to a large number of authors whose book and writings I have consulted. However, the observations and conclusions are my own and I am responsible for failing if, any in the matter.
Finally, I would like to mention the name of my beloved wife, Manju, Manager, Tata Steel, for her constant support and encouragement.

Preface

This book gives a broad knowledge of early history of Ceylon. Its focus is on Indo-Ceylonese relations in ancient times.
In the introduction portion of this book, I have explained the meaning of Ceylon as shining, resplendent, divine etc. at the one hand and land of demon and the lion on the other. India was intimately connected with this land from 4th century B.C.
The first chapter deals with migration from the Indian Subcontinent to Sri Lanka in early times. The wave of Aryanisation of South India crossed its bounds and flooded the Island of Sri Lanka. During the epic period in India the invading forces of lord Rama ushered in the colonisation's of Sri Lanka. The second chapter deals with religion as a bridge between India and Sri Lanka.
Not only Brahmanism but Buddhism and Jainism served as the strong pillars of religion-cultural bridge between India and Ceylon. Asoka the Great sent his son and daughter named Mahinda and Sanghmitta to Ceylon for the propagation of his Dhamma. Meghvarman, the King of Sri Lanka also built a temple at Gaya during Samudra Gupta's regine. The Cholas of South India extended their sway over Ceylon by implanting their faith in the land. Chapter three sheds light on political relationship between India and Sri Lanka in early times. The ancient trend of conquering land by force was altered by the Sri Lankan diplomats who opened a new dimension of matrimonial political relation by offering Tisya Rakshite, the Ceylonese princess in marriage with Asoka the Great. The fourth chapter deals with trade and commerce. Trade and Commerce played a vital role in establishing continued relationship between India and Ceylon. Trade and Commerce flourished both directly and indirectly. Many South Indian kings gave patronage to trade and commerce between India and Ceylon. Large ships were built for carrying people and commodities from one country to the other. Ships large enough to cross the Bay of Bengal and reach Ceylon were built in Prayag, Pataliputra and Champa. Fa-Hlian had returned to his country through sea route. Chapter five deals with the cultural interactions between India and Sri Lanka. The Indian religious belief travelled to Ceylon and helped people to adopt the life style of India. Indian language and art and craft also influenced the culture of Sri Lanka. Chapter Six sheds light on the main theme of relationship between the two regions.

Introduction

The indigenous name of Ceylon has always been, Lanka. The exact meaning of this word is debated the popular notion being that it means shining, or resplendent, while others take it as the land of demons. In India the epithet golden is associated with the name and in Siam the epithet divine. Another native name was Sinhala-dwipa, the Island of the Sinhalese or lion people, for Vijaya's father was known as a Sinha, or lion. The word Sinhala-dwipa later became Selediba, Serendiva, Serendib, then Ceilao (Portugues), Zeilan (Dutch), and finally Ceylon.¹

Ceylon was known in ancient times as Parasamudra as well as Tamraparni (Greek Taprobane). Tambapamni, i.e. Tamraparni finds place in Rock Edicts II and XIII of Asoka. Dr. Smith takes the word to mean not Ceylon but the river Tamraparni in Tinnevally. He referred to the Girnar text "a Tambapamni" which according to him indicated that the river was meant, not the Island. Now in Edict II the phrase "a Tambapamni" comes after Ketalaputo and not after Pada. The expression "Ketalaputo as far as the (river) Tamraparni" is hardly appropriate because the Tamraparni is a Pandyan river. We, therefore, prefer to take Tamraparni to mean Ceylon. Asoka's Ceylonese contemporary was Devanampiya Tissa whose accession may be dated about 250 or 247 B.C.2