Chi Tu

Chi Tu
Raktamaritika
2nd century BC–7th century
Location of Chi Tu as indicated in the map of Transpeninsula route-ways.
Location of Chi Tu as indicated in the map of Transpeninsula route-ways.
CapitalSing-ha/ Singgora/ Songkhla
Common languagesOld Malay, Kelantan Malay
Religion
Buddhism
GovernmentMonarchy
Li-fo-duo-se 
History 
• Coronation of the first king
2nd century BC
• Conquered by Srivijaya
7th century
Succeeded by
Srivijaya
Tambralinga
Pan Pan (kingdom)
Today part ofMalaysia
Thailand

Chi Tu (also spelled Chihtu, Chitu or Ch-ih-t'u; Sanskrit: Raktamaritika or Raktamrittika; Chinese: 赤土國; pinyin: Chì-tǔ-guó; lit. 'Red Earth Country'; Malay language: Tanah Merah) was an ancient kingdom mentioned in the history of China. The Sui dynasty annals describe an advanced kingdom called Chi Tu in 607, when Chang Chun was sent as an ambassador there. The location of Chi Tu is disputed; proposals for its location include areas in the states of Kelantan or Pahang in Malaysia, or in Songkhla and Pattani Province of southern Thailand. The best evidence to support the Kelantan theory is that, when the envoys left Chi Tu, they took 10 days to sail to Champa, this indicates the kingdom was located somewhere 'red earth' around the main river of Kelantan. The inscribed Buddhagupta Stone found in Kedah mentioned a Raktamrttika, meaning "red earth land".