Chi Tu/Raktamrttika once rebelled against its overlord kingdom, Funan, and was invaded by Funan as a result. Possibly in early to mid 6th century. In the aftermath of that invasion, a prince(s) or princess(es)of Chi Tu/Raktamrttika fled to Sumatra, then Java, eventually marrying into the predecessor kingdoms of Srivijaya and Sailendra, thereby contributing to its later lineage.

Chi Tu later recovered after making peace and resubmitting to Funan overlordship. A prince of Chi Tu named ‘Nayejia’ (Chinese translitteration of Narendra, perhaps?) is stated in Chinese records to have led an embassy to Tang China around 612 – 613 AD.

A later ruler of Chi Tu by the name of Prince Nayejia was also recorded to have either visited China or sent an embassy there in ca 627 AD.

Chi Tu is believed to have been founded by a certain Prince Buddhagupta from Bengal, likely patron of a vihara (shrine/temple) called Ratamrttika (meaning ‘Red Earth’), in a city called Karnasuvarna in his original homeland. Buddhagupta was also called Mahanavika (meaning ‘Great Mariner’).

Pro-Kelantan scholars believe the seat of Chi Tu was somewhere around the upper part of Kelantan River, which is called Pergau River. The actual site is believed to have been a place called Bukit Panau (still the same name today). It is also quite close to a town called Tanah Merah (‘Red Earth’ in Malay).

There r also competing claims of a Chi Tu in Kedah n in Pattalung near Songkhla (southern Thailand). A possible explanation could be that our Buddhagupta as a prince-merchant could have in fact passed thru them all, married a local princess in each place, n was given a provincial kingdom as dowry/gift by his royal father-in-law in all 3 places.

In Malaysia there is no real distinction between Dr. M and Pak Lah as there is no distinction between Dr. Siti Hasmah and Datin Sri Endon or Datin Sri Jeanne. I myself am of mixed descent with a dad who is 50% Bugis and 25% Minang and 25% Mandiling and a mother who is 50% Hakka, 25% Cantonese and 25% Kek, yet we never saw ourselves as anything else but Malay because our identity card defines us as Malay. The only people who question our Malaynesss are the one who don’t share the same definition on their identity cards. We would not be fully accepted by them even if we tried to be simply because I am identified as Malay even when I have chinese features.

Tracing a race along the archeological path will lead us to a revelation of the truth that mankind was once from the same womb but has since diversified into a multitude of races and culture. Therefore in today’s reality, a race is defined within a socio-political system of identification.

“We are left with very little of the History of Negera Sr Dharmaraja(Nakhon Sithamarrat), the Sultanate of Senggorra( Songkla), and Patani (Pattani) and their interaction with Kelantan Kedah, and Terengganu.”
MC: I was trying to research the “Chi Tu” Buddhist-Malay Kingdom mentioned by the Sui Dynasty Yang. Supposedly located somewhere along the Sg Kelantan River. The only clue is “Chi Tu” which means “Red Earth”. So far, no luck. All I was able to find was the Che Siti Wan Kembangan Queen. Even then, her alleged Palace Grounds don’t quite seem right for the period. Forget her mythical daughter/niece who was supposedly “floating” from Hill to hill. Perhaps you know a little more on this…

I love old Malay Hikayat as you get the echoes of the bygone pass like the Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa.
MC: Lovely. Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka was having a sale, where you could buy lots of Hikayats, including Hikayat Raja-Raja Pasai, Hikayat Siak, and so on for a song. They were going for a mere RM2-5 each. They look a little water-logged though. The other Hikayat which is interesting is the Hikayat Abdullah (MBRAS) which is only RM10. What a STEAL!!!

In Malaysia the official discourse on history of Malays starts with Islamic Melaka and Johor.
MC: I always state that the History of Malaysia begins with her Pre-History. This would be 60,000years ago (at least). The journey of the Australo Melanesians from Africa are the Negeritos and the Senois of today. They are also the ancestors of the Lake Mungo (Western Australian) Aboroginies as well as all the rest of the Polynesian Islands from Irian Jaya till Hawaii. Ever wondered why they all look African? Coz they are. Whilst in their homeland, they were called Australo Afrikanus. Here-in explains the presence of the Australian Lake Mungo man dated at 50,000years old and the Niah Caves Woman dated at 40,000years old. (Perak man is merely 10,500years old.) However, if the Malaysian Government were to talk about this, then it will have a very hard time explaining why the Orang Asli’s arrived at 60,000years ago while Parameswara arrived only 600years ago should make both of them Bumiputeras of “equal” standing. I attended a talk at Museum Negara entitled, “Orang Asli; First on the Land, Last in the Plan”. Was extremely interesting. Conducted by the CDOA, (Collin Nicholas)

Speaking on “Islamic Sultanage” as I remember it, Parameswara died a Hindu. It was only his son, who converted coz he wanted to marry a princess from Pasai. Parameswara’s grandchildren and great grandchildren were also Hindu. Look at their list of names. Usually carries the Rama-something or the Sri, and the Jaya something. As I know it, there is an article published in 1982 by Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka which debated which point in History were they going to use as the “beginings” of Malaya. There were, of course, the other contenders such as Pasai, SriVijaya, Majapahit, Langkasuka, and so on so forth. But Malacca was chosen only because it was on Malayan soil, and that Langkasuka (Lembah Bujang) was Hindu. The the obvious choice was made. Hence the continium of the errata indoctrinated into the school systems. Little do the kids know that the origins of the title “Raja” and “Sultan” are also of Indian origin.

“Go google “Evanescent Kingdom” and you will find a good article written on this.”
MC: I tried. Too many countires. From Judea till German and so on so forth. What is the exact site or link?

I share your views that the spring board of transmission of Subcontinental India’s culture and arts to Islands should be from the North and all has to do with trade.
MC: It seems that the Gujerati’s were responsible for the Hindu conversions of the “malai” (Tamil for Hill People). Subsequently, the “malai” spread Hinduism till the rest of South-East Asia. Some contend that this term “malai” evolved into the “malay” that we know of today. Some Indonesians label it as “geseran bahasa” which morphed “malai” into its current form, “malay”. Do know know any more on this?

He held that The Race Relation Act did not cover situation when someone was discriminated because of his religion. The Act only covered “race” as defined in the dictionaries.

The House of Lords overturned the decision and concluded that to give purpose to the Act, that is oulawing “racial” discriminations the word “Raced” must be given a broad definition.

And the House of Lords rightly concluded that you can be born and raised in one “racial” community but later join and be accepted as a member of another “racial” communtiy !!!!

We are left with very little of the History of Negera Sr Dharmaraja(Nakhon Sithamarrat), the Sultanate of Senggorra( Songkla), and Patani (Pattani) and their interaction with Kelantan Kedah, and Terengganu.

I love old Malay Hikayat as you get the echoes of the bygone pass like the Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa.

In Malaysia the official discourse on history of Malays starts with Islamic Melaka and Johor.

Go google “Evanescent Kingdom” and you will find a good article written on this.

I share your views that the spring board of transmission of Subcontinental India’s culture and arts to Islands should be from the North and all has to do with trade.