Exploring the Connection Between Ancient Maldivians and China: An Analysis of Tang Dynasty Documents and Archeological Evidence
- Ibrahim Rasheed
- Mar 13
- 5 min read
Maldivians traveling abroad are documented in a Chinese record from the Tang Dynasty, composed between 785 and 805 A.D. This document notes two visits by Maldivians to China, the first in 658 A.D. and the second in 662 A.D., during the reign of Maldivian King Baladitiya (Pelliot 1904). The Chinese scribes recorded: After a four-day journey from Sri Lanka, one reaches the country of Mo-lai (Maldives), located at the southernmost frontier of South India. In the third year and eighth month (658 A.D.), King Fa-t’o-pa-ti of Tsien-su-fou (unknown), King Cho-li-kiun of Che-li-t’i-p’o (Serendive/Ceylon), and King Che-p’o-lo-ti-to (Sri Baladitya) of Mo-lai (Maldives) sent ambassadors to pay tribute to the Emperor of China.
These kingdoms, situated at great distances, acknowledged for the first time their dependent relationship with China. After many months at sea, they arrived in Kiaotcheou (China), where they presented their country's products as tribute. Records indicate that another embassy with gifts was dispatched from the Maldives to the Chinese Court four years later, in 662 A.D. (Pelliot 1904). This evidence suggests that Maldivians of that era possessed seaworthy vessels and sufficient navigational expertise to undertake long voyages, which they frequently.
Tang Dynasty as a Golden Age
The Tang Dynasty, spanning from 618 to 907 CE, is often heralded as a golden age in Chinese history, a period marked by unprecedented prosperity, cultural flourishing, and significant advancements across multiple domains. This era, following the brief Sui Dynasty (581–618), built upon its predecessor's foundations to create a more enduring state, characterized by strong military power, economic expansion, and a cosmopolitan culture that left a lasting legacy. Below, we explore the multifaceted reasons for its golden status, drawing from historical records and scholarly analyses.
In 1998, Indonesian fishermen searching for sea cucumbers stumbled upon a shipwreck near Belitung Island in the Java Sea. This vessel, originating from West Asia, was constructed using planks sewn together with rope. Its extraordinary cargo originally comprised about 70,000 ceramics made in China, along with lavish gold and silver items. The shipwreck's discovery and its contents confirmed what some had only speculated: overland routes were not the sole trade connections between East and West in the ninth century. The exact reason for the ship's sinking, whether due to a storm or other causes while navigating the core of the global trade network, remains a mystery. Intended for present-day Iran and Iraq, it is the oldest ship discovered in Southeast Asia to date, providing evidence of active maritime trade in the ninth century among China, Southeast Asia, and West Asia.
The artifacts in this exhibition illustrate the exchange of goods and ideas over a thousand years ago when two great powers dominated Asia: China under the Tang dynasty and the Abbasid Caliphate in West Asia.
The cargo includes items of significant value and beauty, showcasing the strong commercial ties between these two powers, as well as the creativity of the artists and merchants of the era. Furthermore, the vast scale of the cargo indicates that in the ninth century, Chinese ceramics were highly sought after in foreign lands, and Chinese potters mass-produced thousands of nearly identical ceramics for international markets. The ceramics found in the wreck range from simple Changsha wares to those reflecting elite taste, such as celadon ware from Yue kilns and white ware from Xing kilns, prized for their beauty and elegance.
Historically, it was commonly believed that major global maritime networks connecting Asia to the rest of the world emerged in the fifteenth century when Western explorers and adventurers began playing a role in the region. However, the discovery of the shipwreck near Belitung reveals that significant, intricate, and dynamic networks of maritime trade were already linking diverse cultures globally as early as the ninth century.
The Tang Dynasty's military prowess was instrumental in its golden age status. Through strategic campaigns, it expanded China's territory to rival that of the Han Dynasty, stretching from the Korean peninsula in the east to present-day Afghanistan in the west, and from Mongolia in the north to northern Vietnam in the south (Tang dynasty). This expansion, facilitated by figures like Emperor Taizong, not only secured vast lands but also established diplomatic relationships, enhancing China's influence in the medieval world. The military's success in conquests and alliances contributed to a period of relative stability, crucial for economic and cultural development.
Economic Prosperity and Trade Networks
Economically, the Tang Dynasty thrived due to significant agricultural and commercial advancements. Early reforms under Emperor Gaozu, such as the Juntian Zhi (Land Equalization System) and Zuyongdiao System, alleviated peasant burdens and boosted production efficiency (The Chinese Tang Dynasty Economy & Economic Structures). Irrigation projects and new agricultural techniques further enhanced output, making agriculture a cornerstone of economic strength. Trade flourished along the Silk Road, reopened in 639 CE, and maritime routes, with cities like Yangzhou serving as economic centers (Trade Under the Tang Dynasty | World Civilization). The Grand Canal and extensive postal routes, spanning 32,100 km, facilitated the distribution of goods, while the salt monopoly and international trade with Southeast Asia, India, and beyond enriched the economy (Tang dynasty). This economic vitality supported a population estimated at 50 million in the 7th–8th centuries, growing to 80 million by the dynasty's end, with Chang'an becoming the world's most populous city, reaching two million inhabitants (Tang dynasty).
Cultural Flourishing and Artistic Innovation
Culturally, the Tang Dynasty is often considered the pinnacle of Chinese artistic expression. It is traditionally regarded as the greatest age for Chinese poetry, with over 48,900 poems by more than 2,200 authors surviving, compiled in the Complete Tang Poems (Tang poetry). Poets like Li Bai and Du Fu, whose works are still studied today, epitomized this golden age, with their poetry integral to social life and required for civil service exams, enhancing literacy (Tang poetry). Painting and sculpture also flourished, with artists like Han Gan and Zhou Fang producing notable works, and tricolored glazed pottery becoming iconic. Music and dance, influenced by Central Asian and foreign traditions, were central to court life, with instruments like the pipa gaining prominence (Tang dynasty). The dynasty's cosmopolitan capital, Chang'an, with about 25,000 foreigners from Persia to Japan, practicing religions like Buddhism, Nestorian Christianity, and Zoroastrianism, fostered a rich cultural exchange, making it the largest and most diverse city in the medieval world (Tang dynasty).
Scientific and Technological Advancements
The Tang Dynasty's scientific and technological innovations further cemented its golden age status. Woodblock printing, popularized during this period, made reading materials affordable, leading to increased literacy and a broader talent pool for imperial examinations, with long-term effects seen in the Song Dynasty (Science and technology of the Tang dynasty). The invention of gunpowder, initially used for fireworks, marked a significant military and technological leap, while the first clockwork escapement mechanism, invented by Yi Xing in 725, revolutionized timekeeping with an astronomical clock and water-powered armillary sphere (The Chinese Tang Dynasty Inventions, Technology & Science). Advances in medicine, including the classification of 833 substances in 657 and treatments for diabetes, alongside cartography, with Jia Dan’s 9.1 m × 10 m map in 801, showcased the dynasty's scientific rigor (Science and technology of the Tang dynasty). These innovations, including gas cylinders from 182 m boreholes and air conditioning with water-powered fan wheels in 747, underscored a period of intellectual and practical advancement.
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