02-19-2005, 03:24 PM
More history.
<b>Medieval Chola Empire and it's relations with Miyanmar</b>
http://forumhub.lunarpages.com/hub/viewlite.php?t=1719
Â
<b>Period of Rajaraja Chola - 1 {A.D.985 ñ 1014} </b>
With the beginning of the tenth century the Cholas with their capital in Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, emerged as a powerful ruling dynasty after a long spell in partial obscurity in the political scene of South India.
In the year A.D.985 king Rajaraja Chola -1 ascended the throne as the next successor to the Chola kingdom in Tamil Nadu. He gradually conquered the neighbouring and far lying territories within the Indian continent, forming a great Chola empire.
He laid a firm foundation to this empire by the wits of his political ingenuity and well streamlined administrative system backed by a powerful army and naval power which made it to grow steadily into an overseas empire.
During this period in Miyanmar (the former Burma) there existed two main kingdoms, namely the Arimaddanapura kingdom of the region called Marammadesa (the present central Miyanmar) having the capital at Arimaddanapura (the present Pagan), and the Talaing (Mon) kingdom of the region called Rammanadesa (the present southern Miyanmar also known as Arumanam in Tamil) having its capital at Sudhammavati (the present Thaton). The capital city of Arimaddanapura of the medieval period was also known as Pugarama and Pukkan.
While emperor Rajaraja Chola -1 was on the Chola throne, king Kyaungbyu (A.D.984 -1006) was on the throne of Arimaddanapura kingdom of Marammadesa, and was followed by his son king Kyizo {A.D.1006-1012} on throne. But we are aware of the king who was ruling the Talaing kingdom of Rammanadesa during the period of Rajaraja - 1.
During this period the traders from these two kingdoms traded with Tamil Nadu in their commodities, and the teak wood from Rammanadesa being one of their trading items, was known as "Arumanavan" in the Tamil Nadu.
<b>Period of Rajendra Chola ñ 1 {A.D.1012-1044}</b>
With the succession of emperor Rajendra Chola - 1 on Chola throne after Rajaraja Chola - 1, king Sokkate (A.D.1012-1037) started rule in the Arimaddanapura kingdom after his elder brother king Kyizo, and in this same period we also note a king named Manuha (A.D.?? ñ 1057) ruling the Talaing kingdom of Rammanadesa.
During this time there had been much sea traffic between these two countries. The traders from Tamil Nadu engaged themselves in trade with the Miyanmar kingdoms of Rammanadesa (also known as Arumanam) and the Mirammadesa.
In the meantime the Sri Vijaya kingdom of Sumatra was spreading it's authority over whole of Sumatra and Java - of the present Indonesia and over whole of Malaysia, forming an empire which was at one time a great hinderance to the flourishing trade of the Cholas in South-East Asia. It also seems that there had been similer hinderences to the traders from Tamil Nadu in Rammanadesa in present Miyanmar.
Rajendra Chola ñ 1 sent one of his grandson with great force in A.D.1024 in many ships under a Chola prince who later bore the title as "Kadaremkonda Cholan", which on their way to South-East Asia after capturing the Manakkavaram (Great Nicobar Island), reached the country of Rammanadesa in southern Miyanmar.
They devastated the seaport city of Mapappalam (most possibly the present Dagon or Rangoon), and the interior capital city of Sudammavathi (Thaton) with "protected fortress walls" - of the Talaing (Mon) kingdom of Rammanadesa (Arumanam), and defeated it's ruling king Manuha. It seems king Manuha submitted to the Rajendra Chola's forces in this war and agreed to pay tributes.
At the Arimaddanapur kingdom king Sokkate was followed by his younger brother Anuruddha also known as Anawratha (A.D.1037-1079) on the throne.
<b>Period of Rajadhiraja Chola ñ 1 {A.D.1018-1054} </b>
In the year A.D.1044 Rajendra Chola -1 died and followed by his eldest son emperor Rajadhiraja Chola ñ 1 {A.D.1018-1054} on Chola throne. It appears the king Manuha continued to pay tributes to the Cholas and the trade between two countries continued.
<b>Period of Rajendra Chola -2 {A.D.1051-1063} </b>
Rajadhiraja Chola ñ 1 was followed by his younger brother emperor Rajendra Chola ñ 2 on Chola throne.
Some years later a Buddhist dignitary named Shin Arahan who came to the Arimaddana kingdom from the Talaing kingdom in south Miyanmar and converted king Anuruddha to Theravada Buddhism. Shin Arahan also informed him that in the capital city Sudammavati of the Talaing kingdom, there were thirty sets of three Buddhist Pitakas and also many sacred relics.
King Anuruddha deeply engrossed in Theravada Buddhism sent his wise minister with much gifts and presents to king Manuha requesting some copies of Pitaka and relics which was refused by him with much ill reply.
This ended up with enraged king Anuruddha waging war with king Manuha of the Talaing kingdom in the year A.D.1057, in which king Manuha was defeated and taken captive with his entire family to Arimaddanapura.
From this year onwards the Rammanadesa became part of the Arimaddana empire under the rule of king Anuruddha, and a viceroy was appointed to overlook the affairs of this region. King Anuruddha chose Tharehkiltara (present Prome) in the Pegu region as his new capital of Rammanadesa in place of Thaton, which has now lost it's importance with it's destruction by his forces and with the capture of it's king Manuha.
It appears emperor Anuruddha with the fall of Rammanadesa, and it coming under his empire possibly appointed one of his own viceroy to rule over same, and also refused to pay tributes to the Cholas.
There seems to have been no immediate response and retaliation from the Cholas on the fall of Rammanadesa to Anuruddha's forces, and which was now in the hands of the Arimaddanapur empire.
<b>Period of Virarajendra Chola {A.D.1062-1070} </b>
Rajendra Chola ñ 2 was followed by his younger brother emperor Virarajendra Chola on Chola throne. It appear during this time the viceroy of Anuruddha interfered with the privilages enjoyed by the Chola traders already trading in Rammanadesa.
In this same period the king of Kadarem (present Kedah region of Malaysia) with the re-capture of this kingdom by the ruling king of Sri Vijaya of that period, sought the assistance of Virarajendra Chola in regaining his kingdom.
The emperor Virarajendra Chola sent an expedition in the year A.D.1068 under his nephew (sister's son) Kulothunga to help the king of Kadarem in winning back his kingdom. Kulothunga Chola lead his great forces in person, and reached Rammanadesa on his way to Kadarem and defeated the viceroy of Anuruddha ruling from Tharehkiltara (Prome) and captured the Rammanadesa (Arumanam).
However Kulothunga Chola re-instated the viceroy of Anuruddha at Rammanadesa on king Anuruddha agreeing to pay tributes to Cholas and allowing the Chola traders to trade freely in this region. It appears Kulothunga Chola thereafter stationed a fleet of Chola forces at Thandaung east of Prome to look after the interests of the Chola traders concentrated in this region. As a mark of his victory over Rammanadesa Kulothunga Chola left two stone pillars of victory "jayastamba" at Prome.
<b>Period of Athirajendra Chola {A.D.1070-1073} </b>
In the year A.D.1070 emperor Virarajendra Chola died, and his son Athirajendra Chola {A.D.1070-1073} succeeded on he Chola throne.
During this period the king Vijayabahu - 1 (A.D.1059-1114) of Sri Lanka was struggling hard to relieve the northen half of his country from the Chola domination. After many unsuccesfull efforts, few years before the year A.D.1071 he sent some envoys with rich presents to emperor Anuruddha of Arimaddanapur in Miyanmar, requesting for military assistance against Cholas.
But Anuruddha probably realising the impending danger to his growing empire, in the event he antagonised the mighty Cholas by providing forces to Vijayabahu of Sri Lanka, instead sent rich presents to him including camphor and sandlewood in place of soldiers.
<b>Period of Kulothunga Chola - 1 {A.D.1073-1123} </b>
Athirajendra Chola too died shortly thereafter in illness, which resulted in emperor Kulothunga Chola - 1 {A.D.1073-1123} ascending the Chola throne as the next successor in the year A.D.1073.
In Sri Lanka Vijayabahu - 1 withstanding the decision made by Anuruddha, on his own waged war with the Cholas and successfully expelled them from Sri Lanka in the year A.D.1074, after a period of nearly 72 years of their direct rule over the northern half of Sri Lanka. With this victory king Vijayabahu assumed the title "Chaththuru Chola kula anthaha". The new Chola emperor the Kulothunga Chola - 1 made no attempts in recovering the lost northern half of Sri Lanka.
King Vijayabahu immediately after his victory over Cholas in A.D.1074 sent his envoys to Rammanadesa - which was now in the control of the Arimaddana king - requesting for twenty pious elderly Buddhist monks versent in Pitaka, along with the religious books, and some sacred relics. King Anuruddha responded to this request and sent learned Buddhist monks with copies of Pitaka who instituted a Nikaya (Sect) known as Rammana Nikaya to re-foster Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Emperor Anawratha was followed by his son Sawulu on throne Arimaddanapur {A.D.1079-1084}. Towards the latter part of his rule the general Kyanzittha decided to get rid of the Chola forces stationed in Thandung and sent his forces to defeat them. However immediately after this incidence emperor Sawulu died and Kyanzittha also known as Tribuwanaditya) (A.D.1084-1112), who was also a son of Anurudda by his another queen - an Indian princess from Bengal - took over the throne at Arimaddanapur.
At this time of his coronation the Kyanzitha's forces returned back saying they have conquered the Indian country of Thandaung and Nga Thon Pinle (thickly populated Miyanmar regions with Chola - Traders and forces) in the present Pegu division, and captured the Tamil Chola (Tamil Indian) warriors stationed in this region, who were now settled in another region named Singu east of Arimaddanapur possibly under captivity.
Some years after A.D.1084 it appears Kulothunga Chola sent an army under a Chola prince to one of the ports of Rammanadesa to avenge the capture of Chola forces, and king Kyanzitha now without antogonising the Chola prince sent tributes and warmely welcomed him, possibly released the Chola warriors under captivity, and took time to appraise him on the great religion of Buddhism who apparently adhered to the Buddhist religion.
The Chola Prince in strengthening his friendship with the Arimaddanapura kingdom also gave his daughter in marriage to Kyanzittha, thus smoothening the relations of the Cholas with the Arimaddanpur kingdom of Miyanmar. The name of this Chola prince and his daughter given in marriage to Kyanzittha is not known.
It appears during this period with the newly builtup relations the traders from the Tamil Nadu and the other countries of the Chola empire, became very free to trade as far as Arimaddanapur the capital city of Kyanzitha in central Miyanmar region, and they were also able to build a Vishnu temple at Arimaddanapur without any hinderance in the very heart of a Buddhist country named as "Nanadesi Vinnagar Alvar Koyil".
Some years later a trader named "Irayiran Sriyananana Kulasekara Nambiyar" from Mahodayapuram (present Cranganore) of the Malaimandalam (the present Kerala state) of South India - the former capital city of the Chera kingdom which was at that time under the rule of the Chola empire - built a sacred mandapa (hall), gave a sacred door to same, and one standing lamp to burn constantly in the mandapa of this temple.
In the year A.D.1106 Kyanzittha sent envoys to to pay tributes to the Chinese emperor Hui Tsung (A.D.1101-1126) of the Sung Empire. The emperor orderd the envoys to be provided the same rank and ceremony as to the envoys from the Chola country. But the grand council advised "....the Chola country is subject to Sri Vijaya. During the hsi-ning period (A.D.1068-79) imperial decrees were addressed to it on thick-backed paper and enclosed in box and wrapper. Now Pukan Arimaddanapur) is a big kingdom. We cannot look down on it as an ordinary little dependent kingdom. We desire to adopt the same protocal as in the case of the Ta-shih (Arabs), Chiao-chih (Annam) etc to whom imperial appointments and decrees were all written on white-backed, gold flowered, damask paper, and stored in a partly gold gilt tube with key and forwarded in a brocade silk double wrapper as sealing envelope ñ The emperor approved....."
Emperor Kyanzittha was followed by his grandson Alaungsithu (A.D.1112-1187) on the Arimaddanapur throne.
<b>Period Vikkrama Chola {A.D.1118 -1135} & Kulothunga Chola -2 {A.D.1133-1150} </b>
It appears the good relations the Arimaddanapur kingdom had with Cholas continued for some time even after Kulothunga Chola ñ 1, during the period of rule of Vikkrama Chola and Kulothunga Chola ñ 2.
<b>Period of Rajaraja Chola ñ 2 {A.D.1146-1163} </b>
However during the rule of Rajaraja-2 we note, among the distant lands which sent tributes to the Chola country is the Pappalam the seaport city of Rammanadesa.
However the fact remains that there had been continuos sea traffic on account of trade between TamilNadu and the Miyanmar kingdoms even thereafter, and we note in the year A.D.1178 Chinese traders being aware that one who wishes to go to the Chola kingdom from China, has to either tranship from Kollam kingdom or go there from the Pukan (Arimaddanapur) kingdom. This clearly indicates the extent of trade activities between China, Pukan and Chola country.
<b>Period of Pandiyas after Medieval Cholas </b>
Even after the fall of Chola empire and the re-surgence of the Pandiyan empire we note Pandiyan kings having relations with Arumanam the Rammanadesa of the Miyanmar country.
Maravarman Sundarapandiyan ñ 2 {A.D.1238-1251} claims to be the overlord of the king of Poppalam (Pappalam), and Sadaiyavarman Sunderapandiyan {A.D.1251-1271} claims having received tributes from Arumanam. However the Pandiya relations with Miyanmar country is left out for further research study as it does not fall within the scope of the title of this essay.
<b>Medieval Chola Empire and it's relations with Miyanmar</b>
http://forumhub.lunarpages.com/hub/viewlite.php?t=1719
Â
<b>Period of Rajaraja Chola - 1 {A.D.985 ñ 1014} </b>
With the beginning of the tenth century the Cholas with their capital in Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, emerged as a powerful ruling dynasty after a long spell in partial obscurity in the political scene of South India.
In the year A.D.985 king Rajaraja Chola -1 ascended the throne as the next successor to the Chola kingdom in Tamil Nadu. He gradually conquered the neighbouring and far lying territories within the Indian continent, forming a great Chola empire.
He laid a firm foundation to this empire by the wits of his political ingenuity and well streamlined administrative system backed by a powerful army and naval power which made it to grow steadily into an overseas empire.
During this period in Miyanmar (the former Burma) there existed two main kingdoms, namely the Arimaddanapura kingdom of the region called Marammadesa (the present central Miyanmar) having the capital at Arimaddanapura (the present Pagan), and the Talaing (Mon) kingdom of the region called Rammanadesa (the present southern Miyanmar also known as Arumanam in Tamil) having its capital at Sudhammavati (the present Thaton). The capital city of Arimaddanapura of the medieval period was also known as Pugarama and Pukkan.
While emperor Rajaraja Chola -1 was on the Chola throne, king Kyaungbyu (A.D.984 -1006) was on the throne of Arimaddanapura kingdom of Marammadesa, and was followed by his son king Kyizo {A.D.1006-1012} on throne. But we are aware of the king who was ruling the Talaing kingdom of Rammanadesa during the period of Rajaraja - 1.
During this period the traders from these two kingdoms traded with Tamil Nadu in their commodities, and the teak wood from Rammanadesa being one of their trading items, was known as "Arumanavan" in the Tamil Nadu.
<b>Period of Rajendra Chola ñ 1 {A.D.1012-1044}</b>
With the succession of emperor Rajendra Chola - 1 on Chola throne after Rajaraja Chola - 1, king Sokkate (A.D.1012-1037) started rule in the Arimaddanapura kingdom after his elder brother king Kyizo, and in this same period we also note a king named Manuha (A.D.?? ñ 1057) ruling the Talaing kingdom of Rammanadesa.
During this time there had been much sea traffic between these two countries. The traders from Tamil Nadu engaged themselves in trade with the Miyanmar kingdoms of Rammanadesa (also known as Arumanam) and the Mirammadesa.
In the meantime the Sri Vijaya kingdom of Sumatra was spreading it's authority over whole of Sumatra and Java - of the present Indonesia and over whole of Malaysia, forming an empire which was at one time a great hinderance to the flourishing trade of the Cholas in South-East Asia. It also seems that there had been similer hinderences to the traders from Tamil Nadu in Rammanadesa in present Miyanmar.
Rajendra Chola ñ 1 sent one of his grandson with great force in A.D.1024 in many ships under a Chola prince who later bore the title as "Kadaremkonda Cholan", which on their way to South-East Asia after capturing the Manakkavaram (Great Nicobar Island), reached the country of Rammanadesa in southern Miyanmar.
They devastated the seaport city of Mapappalam (most possibly the present Dagon or Rangoon), and the interior capital city of Sudammavathi (Thaton) with "protected fortress walls" - of the Talaing (Mon) kingdom of Rammanadesa (Arumanam), and defeated it's ruling king Manuha. It seems king Manuha submitted to the Rajendra Chola's forces in this war and agreed to pay tributes.
At the Arimaddanapur kingdom king Sokkate was followed by his younger brother Anuruddha also known as Anawratha (A.D.1037-1079) on the throne.
<b>Period of Rajadhiraja Chola ñ 1 {A.D.1018-1054} </b>
In the year A.D.1044 Rajendra Chola -1 died and followed by his eldest son emperor Rajadhiraja Chola ñ 1 {A.D.1018-1054} on Chola throne. It appears the king Manuha continued to pay tributes to the Cholas and the trade between two countries continued.
<b>Period of Rajendra Chola -2 {A.D.1051-1063} </b>
Rajadhiraja Chola ñ 1 was followed by his younger brother emperor Rajendra Chola ñ 2 on Chola throne.
Some years later a Buddhist dignitary named Shin Arahan who came to the Arimaddana kingdom from the Talaing kingdom in south Miyanmar and converted king Anuruddha to Theravada Buddhism. Shin Arahan also informed him that in the capital city Sudammavati of the Talaing kingdom, there were thirty sets of three Buddhist Pitakas and also many sacred relics.
King Anuruddha deeply engrossed in Theravada Buddhism sent his wise minister with much gifts and presents to king Manuha requesting some copies of Pitaka and relics which was refused by him with much ill reply.
This ended up with enraged king Anuruddha waging war with king Manuha of the Talaing kingdom in the year A.D.1057, in which king Manuha was defeated and taken captive with his entire family to Arimaddanapura.
From this year onwards the Rammanadesa became part of the Arimaddana empire under the rule of king Anuruddha, and a viceroy was appointed to overlook the affairs of this region. King Anuruddha chose Tharehkiltara (present Prome) in the Pegu region as his new capital of Rammanadesa in place of Thaton, which has now lost it's importance with it's destruction by his forces and with the capture of it's king Manuha.
It appears emperor Anuruddha with the fall of Rammanadesa, and it coming under his empire possibly appointed one of his own viceroy to rule over same, and also refused to pay tributes to the Cholas.
There seems to have been no immediate response and retaliation from the Cholas on the fall of Rammanadesa to Anuruddha's forces, and which was now in the hands of the Arimaddanapur empire.
<b>Period of Virarajendra Chola {A.D.1062-1070} </b>
Rajendra Chola ñ 2 was followed by his younger brother emperor Virarajendra Chola on Chola throne. It appear during this time the viceroy of Anuruddha interfered with the privilages enjoyed by the Chola traders already trading in Rammanadesa.
In this same period the king of Kadarem (present Kedah region of Malaysia) with the re-capture of this kingdom by the ruling king of Sri Vijaya of that period, sought the assistance of Virarajendra Chola in regaining his kingdom.
The emperor Virarajendra Chola sent an expedition in the year A.D.1068 under his nephew (sister's son) Kulothunga to help the king of Kadarem in winning back his kingdom. Kulothunga Chola lead his great forces in person, and reached Rammanadesa on his way to Kadarem and defeated the viceroy of Anuruddha ruling from Tharehkiltara (Prome) and captured the Rammanadesa (Arumanam).
However Kulothunga Chola re-instated the viceroy of Anuruddha at Rammanadesa on king Anuruddha agreeing to pay tributes to Cholas and allowing the Chola traders to trade freely in this region. It appears Kulothunga Chola thereafter stationed a fleet of Chola forces at Thandaung east of Prome to look after the interests of the Chola traders concentrated in this region. As a mark of his victory over Rammanadesa Kulothunga Chola left two stone pillars of victory "jayastamba" at Prome.
<b>Period of Athirajendra Chola {A.D.1070-1073} </b>
In the year A.D.1070 emperor Virarajendra Chola died, and his son Athirajendra Chola {A.D.1070-1073} succeeded on he Chola throne.
During this period the king Vijayabahu - 1 (A.D.1059-1114) of Sri Lanka was struggling hard to relieve the northen half of his country from the Chola domination. After many unsuccesfull efforts, few years before the year A.D.1071 he sent some envoys with rich presents to emperor Anuruddha of Arimaddanapur in Miyanmar, requesting for military assistance against Cholas.
But Anuruddha probably realising the impending danger to his growing empire, in the event he antagonised the mighty Cholas by providing forces to Vijayabahu of Sri Lanka, instead sent rich presents to him including camphor and sandlewood in place of soldiers.
<b>Period of Kulothunga Chola - 1 {A.D.1073-1123} </b>
Athirajendra Chola too died shortly thereafter in illness, which resulted in emperor Kulothunga Chola - 1 {A.D.1073-1123} ascending the Chola throne as the next successor in the year A.D.1073.
In Sri Lanka Vijayabahu - 1 withstanding the decision made by Anuruddha, on his own waged war with the Cholas and successfully expelled them from Sri Lanka in the year A.D.1074, after a period of nearly 72 years of their direct rule over the northern half of Sri Lanka. With this victory king Vijayabahu assumed the title "Chaththuru Chola kula anthaha". The new Chola emperor the Kulothunga Chola - 1 made no attempts in recovering the lost northern half of Sri Lanka.
King Vijayabahu immediately after his victory over Cholas in A.D.1074 sent his envoys to Rammanadesa - which was now in the control of the Arimaddana king - requesting for twenty pious elderly Buddhist monks versent in Pitaka, along with the religious books, and some sacred relics. King Anuruddha responded to this request and sent learned Buddhist monks with copies of Pitaka who instituted a Nikaya (Sect) known as Rammana Nikaya to re-foster Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Emperor Anawratha was followed by his son Sawulu on throne Arimaddanapur {A.D.1079-1084}. Towards the latter part of his rule the general Kyanzittha decided to get rid of the Chola forces stationed in Thandung and sent his forces to defeat them. However immediately after this incidence emperor Sawulu died and Kyanzittha also known as Tribuwanaditya) (A.D.1084-1112), who was also a son of Anurudda by his another queen - an Indian princess from Bengal - took over the throne at Arimaddanapur.
At this time of his coronation the Kyanzitha's forces returned back saying they have conquered the Indian country of Thandaung and Nga Thon Pinle (thickly populated Miyanmar regions with Chola - Traders and forces) in the present Pegu division, and captured the Tamil Chola (Tamil Indian) warriors stationed in this region, who were now settled in another region named Singu east of Arimaddanapur possibly under captivity.
Some years after A.D.1084 it appears Kulothunga Chola sent an army under a Chola prince to one of the ports of Rammanadesa to avenge the capture of Chola forces, and king Kyanzitha now without antogonising the Chola prince sent tributes and warmely welcomed him, possibly released the Chola warriors under captivity, and took time to appraise him on the great religion of Buddhism who apparently adhered to the Buddhist religion.
The Chola Prince in strengthening his friendship with the Arimaddanapura kingdom also gave his daughter in marriage to Kyanzittha, thus smoothening the relations of the Cholas with the Arimaddanpur kingdom of Miyanmar. The name of this Chola prince and his daughter given in marriage to Kyanzittha is not known.
It appears during this period with the newly builtup relations the traders from the Tamil Nadu and the other countries of the Chola empire, became very free to trade as far as Arimaddanapur the capital city of Kyanzitha in central Miyanmar region, and they were also able to build a Vishnu temple at Arimaddanapur without any hinderance in the very heart of a Buddhist country named as "Nanadesi Vinnagar Alvar Koyil".
Some years later a trader named "Irayiran Sriyananana Kulasekara Nambiyar" from Mahodayapuram (present Cranganore) of the Malaimandalam (the present Kerala state) of South India - the former capital city of the Chera kingdom which was at that time under the rule of the Chola empire - built a sacred mandapa (hall), gave a sacred door to same, and one standing lamp to burn constantly in the mandapa of this temple.
In the year A.D.1106 Kyanzittha sent envoys to to pay tributes to the Chinese emperor Hui Tsung (A.D.1101-1126) of the Sung Empire. The emperor orderd the envoys to be provided the same rank and ceremony as to the envoys from the Chola country. But the grand council advised "....the Chola country is subject to Sri Vijaya. During the hsi-ning period (A.D.1068-79) imperial decrees were addressed to it on thick-backed paper and enclosed in box and wrapper. Now Pukan Arimaddanapur) is a big kingdom. We cannot look down on it as an ordinary little dependent kingdom. We desire to adopt the same protocal as in the case of the Ta-shih (Arabs), Chiao-chih (Annam) etc to whom imperial appointments and decrees were all written on white-backed, gold flowered, damask paper, and stored in a partly gold gilt tube with key and forwarded in a brocade silk double wrapper as sealing envelope ñ The emperor approved....."
Emperor Kyanzittha was followed by his grandson Alaungsithu (A.D.1112-1187) on the Arimaddanapur throne.
<b>Period Vikkrama Chola {A.D.1118 -1135} & Kulothunga Chola -2 {A.D.1133-1150} </b>
It appears the good relations the Arimaddanapur kingdom had with Cholas continued for some time even after Kulothunga Chola ñ 1, during the period of rule of Vikkrama Chola and Kulothunga Chola ñ 2.
<b>Period of Rajaraja Chola ñ 2 {A.D.1146-1163} </b>
However during the rule of Rajaraja-2 we note, among the distant lands which sent tributes to the Chola country is the Pappalam the seaport city of Rammanadesa.
However the fact remains that there had been continuos sea traffic on account of trade between TamilNadu and the Miyanmar kingdoms even thereafter, and we note in the year A.D.1178 Chinese traders being aware that one who wishes to go to the Chola kingdom from China, has to either tranship from Kollam kingdom or go there from the Pukan (Arimaddanapur) kingdom. This clearly indicates the extent of trade activities between China, Pukan and Chola country.
<b>Period of Pandiyas after Medieval Cholas </b>
Even after the fall of Chola empire and the re-surgence of the Pandiyan empire we note Pandiyan kings having relations with Arumanam the Rammanadesa of the Miyanmar country.
Maravarman Sundarapandiyan ñ 2 {A.D.1238-1251} claims to be the overlord of the king of Poppalam (Pappalam), and Sadaiyavarman Sunderapandiyan {A.D.1251-1271} claims having received tributes from Arumanam. However the Pandiya relations with Miyanmar country is left out for further research study as it does not fall within the scope of the title of this essay.