Kantoli

Kantoli was an ancient kingdom suspected to be located somewhere between Jambi and Palembang in southern Sumatra around the 5th century of the common era.[1] The Sanskrit name for this polity is Kuntala.[2] Chinese records indicate that "Sanfotsi was formerly called Kantoli" and this as well as the location of the kingdom have led historians to consider Kantoli as the predecessor of Srivijaya.[1] Srivijaya was referred to as Sanfotsi by the Chinese.[3]

During the reign of the Liu Song dynasty in south China, Kantoli sent several embassies to China.[1] Trade between the two kingdoms were established and this granted Kantoli with great wealth through heavy dependency on volume from China.[1] With the conquest of south China by the Sui dynasty, volume of trade dwindled due to the new ruler's austerity.[1] The emperor banned all luxurious items in the courts which coincidentally were supplied by many, including Kantoli.[1]

Sri Varanarendra, king of Kan-t'o-li, sent the Hindu Rudra on an embassy to China between 454 and 464. His son, Vijayavarman, did the same in 519.[4]: 55 

  1. ^ a b c d e f Munoz, Paul Michel (2006). Early Kingdoms of the Indonesian Archipelago and the Malay Peninsula. Singapore: Editions Didier Millet. pp. 102–103. ISBN 981-4155-67-5.
  2. ^ Nazarudin Zainun; Nasha Rodziadi Khaw, eds. (2015). Perdagangan Dunia Melayu-China Hingga Kurun Ke-16 Masihi Satu Tinjauan Sejarah dan Arkeologi (in Malay). Penerbit USM. ISBN 9789838618922.
  3. ^ Munoz, Paul Michel (2006). Early Kingdoms of the Indonesian Archipelago and the Malay Peninsula. Singapore: Editions Didier Millet. p. 114. ISBN 981-4155-67-5.
  4. ^ Coedès, George (1968). Walter F. Vella (ed.). The Indianized States of Southeast Asia. trans.Susan Brown Cowing. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 978-0-8248-0368-1.