Cham Islands in Champa Maritime Space from 11th to 15th Century

Abstract

Situated in a critical position on the sea routes in Southeast Asia, the Cham islands, or Cu Lao Cham, emerged remarkably as an important outport of the maritime kingdom of Champa. Over many centuries, the region of the Cham islands and the estuary port of the great kingdom of Champa, also called Dai Chiem seaport, not only was seen as a destination and a trade centre of the small state of Amaravati, but also played a significant role in linking the kingdom of Champa with the outside world. In history, Cham people actively integrated into the region and the world, contributing greatly towards the formation of “the incense trade route”, “the silk road”, and “the  ceramic trade route” etc. in the Indo-Pacific region. In addition to the economic linkage, they were also used as channels for the exchange of cultures, beliefs, religions, scientific and technical knowledge between the kingdom of Champa and Asian countries, creating new driving forces of development and enhancing the creative capacity in societies of the region.