Blog 175- Marine Musings - (Part 2 of 2) - A Battle - A Wedding and The Beginnings of A 600 Year Dynasty

Note : This story is part fact and part fiction. I leave the reader to sort it out for themselves.

We were 40, they were more than a hundred.

They boarded us by sheer weight of numbers. The fighting became hand to hand, fierce. We kept ourselves together in two groups and kept repelling attack after attack - they were not very organised.

In the midst of the fighting, I noticed several women fighters, with one being outstanding in fighting and, furthermore, very beautiful. As we fought, I kept telling my shipmates not to hurt the women, especially the beautiful girl. We, being better organised, pushed them back to their boats, but not before they caused some fire damage to the forecastle. They were beaten away.

Our damage was such that we had no chance to sail away, but had to beach the ship for repairs. Setting out guards to give warning, we started repairs. Some had to go more inland in search of wood. 

While debating who should go and who should stay, as it would deplete the strength of the vessel for another fight, we suddenly saw some torch bearers approaching, with the same beautiful girl at the head, followed by the Chief of the clan, obviously her father. They were carrying no weapons.

Surprised, we did not use any arrows on them, but held tight. The girl, the Chief and two warriors advanced towards us and the Chief started talking. Surprisingly, our Pilot understood him to an extent.

Our Pilot was so astonished, that he failed to translate and speak for a few minutes. Once he came to his senses, he translated.

The Naga Chief’s offer was simple and two fold.

One: Asking me to marry Princess Soma, his daughter, who had fallen in love with me during the fighting and all hostilities will cease.

Two: Say no to the marriage and get killed one by one, as we repaired the ship. They had the numbers.

It was a Hobson’s choice. There was only one way out.

I married Soma, the Princess, in a simple marriage, in the Naga tradition. 

I won’t say that I married against my will, as I was also attracted to Soma.

The Nagas, of whom Soma was a part, were a simple fisher folk, occupying a small piece of territory at the Mekong Delta, with no political or territorial ambitions. The southern part had several such tribes in an uneasy recognition of each other, with more warring factions further up north.

Very soon, I was advising the tribe on all matters. They were basically fishing folk and not much of knowledge of agricultural produce that can better their lives. The Mekong Delta being rich, I got them to start agriculture and designed and shaped basic agricultural tools for them. After some of the crops grew and were harvested, I even had to teach the womenfolk how to cook the produce and make best use of them.

Note : The Mekong River was also known as ‘Mae Nam Khong’.

The once disjointed tribes in that region realised that there was something good going on that bettered their lives, they willingly accepted Soma’s father as their leader and paid particular deference to Soma and me, anticipating us to be their future leaders.

Hutments turned to houses. Prosperity grew. My ambitions grew.

I repaired my damaged ship and sent back some of the crew to return with arms, soldiers, artisans, priests, scholars - all to be bachelors - with the intention of settling them in our territory, marrying into the Naga clan, like some of my sailors had already done. I could foresee that a lot of things to be done to change the Nagas from a water-people to land based people, settling into small communities. 

Seeing the developments of our communities, other tribes wanted to improve their living standards and, subsequently, started paying homage to Soma and me.

On the death of her Father, Soma had taken over the reins of the tribe, including the friendly outliers. I had become the Queen’s consort and also a king by my own right..

I was instrumental in building temples, which were also schools that taught various subjects. The teachers and artisans had come by ship from Kalinga. Sanskrit became the scholars’ and students’ language, leading me to name our land Suwarnabhumi, also known by the name Fou-Nan or Funan.

The transition from Indian men into Naga society was smooth, with no skirmishes. The old ship, repaired every time, along with several others, became the link with Kalinga and the south Bharat ports. Hearing of the assimilation with the Nagas, hundreds of Indians from various parts were drawn to Suwarnabhumi.

Nearly every year, from August to November, the Mekong river would flood  due to the monsoons and overflow on to tilled, agricultural land. Realising this, the agricultural fields were further away, with irrigation canals for the 3 seasons of crops, most seeds having been brought from Bharat.

Our tribe’s fame spread far and wide. Isolated tribes migrated to be near us and learn our ways. Some further up north and towards the east were raided and annexed.

As I lie on my deathbed, surrounded by my beloved wife Soma and my six children, my memory flits between the young boy who struggled for a living to the ruler I had become “And then my heart with pleasure fills”. I think of the small but rapidly kingdom that my wife, the Queen Soma is to look after.maybe an empire follows. Maybe a dynasty.

The End

Note : The ‘Suwarnabhumi’ took on the name of Funon and the dynasty lasted for 600 years. Hindu and Buddhist influence was profound over the 600 years, several of the temples built in those times, still standing as a testament to the fine architecture and size that the artisans of that period brought to the country now called Cambodia.

Historical Context 

The Chenla Kingdom (also known as Zhenlai), a neighboring Khmer polity and former vassal state of Funan, defeated and absorbed the Funan Empire, with the decisive conquest occurring around 627 CE under King Isanavarman.

The Funan Dynasty at its peak

During its peak from the 3rd to 5th centuries, Funan was a powerful maritime trading empire based in the Mekong Delta. However, by the 6th century, Funan began to decline due to shifting global maritime trade routes (which moved toward Sumatra and the Srivijaya Empire) and internal dynastic conflicts.

As Funan grew economically and politically unstable, its northern vassal state, Chenla—which was inland and heavily rooted in agriculture rather than sea trade—began to rise in power. 

The 7th century was a period of turmoil, till the Khmers stablished themselves. Khmer Empire rose in 802 CE when King Jayavarman II declared independence and unified the region. 

Founding and Rise

• The Year 802 CE: Prince Jayavarman II climbed Mount Kulen (Phnom Kulen).

• God-King Status: He proclaimed himself chakravartin (universal monarch) and established the devaraja (god-king) cult.

Note: The use of Sanskrit words, which predominates their language even today.

AR