Dimensions of historical connections between Tamil Nadu & China
Interaction and communication are indispensable to human behaviour, they are in fact at the bedrock of the foundation of human society. Advancement and improvement in connections between nations have helped in making the world a global society. Numerous factors such as trade, influence of power & innovation, strategic interests, people to people contact and scientific cooperation have stimulated cultural heterogenization between civilisations leading to the conformation of unique connections.
The recent “informal meeting” between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at the Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu was an attempt to revive the cultural and strategic connections between South India and China, which were overshadowed by recent bilateral disagreements on certain key issues, including the revocation of Article 370 in the now erstwhile Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
This “candid” and “heart to heart” meeting between the two leaders mostly focused on improving the strategic communication between the two countries, however it is noteworthy that relations between Tamil Nadu and China are almost 3000 years old.
Mamallapuram, the bustling coastal town that hosted the two leaders was a major sea port during the rule of the Pallava dynasty. It served as a gateway of import and export of goods to and fro South India and China back in the 7th century. In the ancient world, China represented one of the most powerful engines for development, generating a demand for luxurious goods which not even the Roman Mediterranean could match. The stimulus which markets such as China provided to long distance trade was incalculable- it attracted merchants and traders from throughout the world. India also emerged as both a major supplier of precious goods and a facilitator of this trade, an axial point around which luxuries such as precious stones, spices and aromatics were traded. China was also one of the earliest eastern markets for Indian goods. This vast trade established close connections and was the tipping point for a rich cultural history. Chinese coins and other archaeological remains suggesting Chinese presence in the region have been found.
Merchants hailing from the Tamil region were active participants in this trade, some of them settled in China both to support it and exploit the region’s abundant natural resources. With this, several Tamil guilds came up in Chinese coastal towns. Historians have recovered Tamil-Chinese bilingual inscriptions which mention acts of charity by these guilds. For the ease of religious practice, they also constructed Hindu temples in China, the remains of such a temple are found in the Fujian province. We have considerable evidence to say that maritime contact between Tamil Nadu and China was well preserved till the rule of the Cholas.
The two regions indulged in strategic partnerships as well. Delegations from both sides used to travel between China and Tamil Nadu. It was during Emperor Wei’s reign in China that Kanchipuram, the Pallava capital received royal presents. These presents were symbols of trust and good relations between the two regions. Interestingly, during the 8th century, a Chinese delegation designated Second Narasimhavarman of the Pallavas as a general of the South China Sea to safeguard it from expanding Tibetan influence. This was a crucial defence pact between the Chinese and the Pallavas. Moreover, Chinese ambassadors were also sent the the Chola court. Given these facts, it becomes easy for us to conclude that Tamil Nadu was strategically and politically crucial for China.
This relationship was not solely restricted to trade and strategic interests, but it had tangible impact on religion, science and art. Buddhist monk Bodhidharma was the third prince of a Pallava King. He became an icon in China, he travelled from Kanchipuram to China through Mamallapuram in 527 AD and succeeded in becoming the 28th patriarch of Buddhism. Several shaolin monasteries were setup after his arrival to propagate Zen Buddhism in China. It is also claimed that Tamil sports such as Kalarippayattu and Siddha played a role in the development of Chinese martial arts, including Kung Fu. Chinese influence is also evident in the world famous Tamil medical science called the Ayurveda. Legends say that the much revered medical author Pokar, visited China. Several Tamil medical physicians who visited South Asia had exposure to the Chinese medical System. On the return to their homeland, they might have incorporated some elements of the newfound practices in their own texts. Tamil medical literature is replete with references to medicinal substances of Chinese origin, this tells us about another avenue for detailed research.
In the contemporary times, though the connect between Chennai and China has significantly reduced, there are enough indicators telling us that these regions are not unfamiliar to each other. There is a vibrant Tamil community residing in Hong Kong. They actively engage in business, trade and embrace the local culture. Tamil schools and literature houses have come up in Hong Kong, which is an indication of social inclusion and respect for cultural differences, something which has become rare in this increasingly polarised world.
With technology being more advanced than ever before, both the Chinese and Tamils have found valuable employment in the Information Technology sector, where educated youth efficiently contribute their human resource. The inclusion of Kabaddi, the state’s official sport in the Asian Games, has amounted to popular appeal and recognition in China, which now has its own national Kabaddi team. As the iconic picture of Mr. Modi and Mr. Jinping sipping coconut water at Mamallapuram became viral across all social media platforms, there is a restored hope for revival of these past connections, which would bring shared benefits for both nations.
