Funan

The Chinese name for an early kingdom of Southeast Asia, founded in the 1st century AD and recorded as a trading partner of China from at least the 3rd century AD. Located in the lower Mekong region of Cambodia and southern Vietnam, this Indianized state was strategically situated on the trade routes between India and China. It was conquered by the Khmer state of Chenla in the 7th century. There is abundant information about the material culture of Funan from excavations, notably those of Oc-eo, thought to have been its main port, and from Angkor Borei.

(probably a transcription of the Chinese rendering of the Old Khmer word for ‘mountain’). The first Indianized kingdom of Southeast Asia, founded in the 1st century ad in the lower valley of the Mekong in present Cambodia. According to legend it came into being as a result of the union of an Indian Brahman and the daughter of a local chief. From Chinese sources and archaeological evidence it appears that in the 3rd century Funan extended its power over much of the southern part of the Indochinese Peninsula, around the Gulf of Siam into the Malay Peninsula and possibly even across into Lower Burma. Strategically situated on the trade routes between India and China, Funan became for several centuries the most important maritime power in Southeast Asia. During the 6th century Funan broke up, being gradually taken over by its former vassal Chenla, which became its successor state. There is abundant information about the material culture of Funan from excavations, notably those of Oc-Èo, thought to have been its main port.