Indo-China in the Records of Chinese Pilgrims
By Louis Finot
Summary
The extracted text discusses Chinese pilgrims' records, particularly Hiuen Tsang and I-tsing, focusing on their descriptions of Indo-China. These pilgrims primarily traveled to Buddhist centers like Srivijaya (Palembang) and Suvarmadvipa (Sumatra) but rarely ventured beyond the Beghal frontier or minor ports. Hiuen Tsang and I-tsing documented key states along the Mekhong and Menam valleys, the Malay Peninsula, and the Irrawadi Delta, though scholar Pandit Padmanath Bhattacharya initially disputed these claims, arguing the regions belonged to Bengal, Assam, Manipur, and Upper Burma. However, the author upholds the traditional view due to insufficient evidence supporting Bhattacharya's theory. The text clarifies the correct spelling of the pilgrim's name as "Hiuen Tsang" (or "Hiuan Tsang"), rejecting "Yuan Chwang" despite some scholars' preferences. It details I-tsing's accounts of traveling through Fu-nan (Champa) and Lang-kia-shu, noting the geographical and political context of their journeys. The analysis emphasizes that Lin-i (Champa) is the only definitively identified location from the records, situated in modern Annam. The author critiques outdated scholarly debates, prioritizing factual evidence over historical or linguistic arguments.
Conclusion
This study of Chinese pilgrim records reveals Indo-China as a significant but understudied region in early Buddhist exchanges, with Srivijaya and Suvarmadvipa serving as key cultural and religious hubs. While earlier scholarship debated the geographical extent of these accounts, the analysis reaffirms the validity of Hiuen-tsang and I-tsing’s descriptions of Mekhong and Menam river valleys, the Malay Peninsula, and the Irrawaddy Delta. The persistent scholarly disagreement over regional attributions highlights the complexity of historical interpretation. The text underscores the importance of these records for reconstructing ancient Southeast Asian polities and emphasizes the need for rigorous evidentiary approaches over traditional deference to authority. Ultimately, the pilgrims’ accounts remain indispensable for understanding the religious and political landscape of pre-medieval Indo-China.