Legendary Champa rulers

The Legendary Champa rulers are said to have governed the Champa Kingdom in present-day Vietnam, and more specifically Panduranga in the far south from mythical times. They are exactly dated in the chronicles written down much later, but their historicity before the 17th century is debated.

Background

Champa is famous as a Hindu civilization that dominated large parts of what is today Vietnam from the 7th century. While older historiography regarded Champa as a cohesive kingdom, newer research has revealed it as a complex of historical regions, from south to north Panduranga, Kauthara, Vijaya, Amaravati, and Indrapura. The Chinese and Vietnamese annals, and local inscriptions, mention a long list of dated rulers over the centuries, although there are also many obscure points.Georges Maspero (2002) The Champa Kingdom: The History of an Extinct Vietnamese Culture. Bangkok: White Lotus A ruler who was known as "King of Champa" in the sources would have been based in either of the five named regions, emerging as the temporarily most important ruler in the larger Champa territory.Michael Vickery (2009) "A Short History of Champa", in Andrew Hardy et al. (eds) Champa and the Arcaeology of My Son (Vietnam). Singapore: NUS Press, p. 45-60 After the sack of the capital Vijaya in 1471 at the hands of the Vietnamese Lê Dynasty, half of Champa was lost to the invaders and the political centre moved to Panduranga in the south.Po Dharma (2001) "The History of Champa", in Emmanuel Guillon (ed.) Cham Art. London: Thames & Hudson. For much of the 16th century, there are almost no contemporary historical sources; it is only towards the end of the century that more detailed data about events in Champa are found.

A set of Cham chronicles from the 19th century mentions 40 exactly dated kings from about 1000 to 1832.Po Dharma (2013) "Biên Niên Sử Champa (Sakkarai Dak Rai Patao)", Nghiên Cứu Lịch Sử . Some of them are also mentioned in the Mangbalai chronicle which gives cryptical and metaphorical characterizations of the various kings, and in various legendary accounts called dalukal. The names and dates of the kings before the 17th century cannot be confirmed from non-Cham sources and do not accord with the list of historical rulers known from inscriptions and annals. Early French scholars therefore drew the conclusion that the Cham king list had little historical value, or that the names were actually minor sub-rulers in Panduranga.E.M. Durand (1905) "Notes sur les Cham", Bulletin de l'École Francais d'Extrême-Orient 5, p. 377-82. Later researchers, such as Po Dharma, have argued that the Cham chronicles only provide a list of Kings of Panduranga and not necessarily the main rulers of Champa, so that the indigenous tradition merits further historical research.Po Dharma (1987) Le Panduranga (Campa) 1802-1835: Ses rapports avec le Vietnam. Paris: EFEO, Vol. II, p. 60-1.

Po Uwaluah

The first king was, according to the chronicles, Po Uwaluah (1000–1036) who descended from Heaven and resided in Bal Sri Banây (Nai, Ninh Chu, Phan Rang).Étienne Aymonier (1889) "Grammaire de la langue chame. XXIV: Traduction de la chronique royale", Excursions et reconnaissances 14, p. 87. He acted with perfection, but the kingdom was still discontent with his rule. He confided his soul and body to the Lord of Heaven and went to reside in Mecca. Po Uwaluah eventually returned to the Cham kingdom to find a successor. He then returned to Heaven. In fact, his name is a Cham transcription of Allah and his appearance is due to Islamic influences in Cham culture since about the 16th century.Étienne Aymonier (1890) "Legendes historiques des Chams", Excursions et reconnaissances 14, p. 153-4.

Po Binnasuor

The next ruler Po Binnasuor (1036–1076), also known as Nasuor or Nasurlak, was “a man with the nature of fine grass”. Exactly what is meant by this is unclear, possibly that he was all-knowing. His residence was at Bal Sri Bânay, also called Bal Canar, “the fortified palace”, a name that was given to various historical capitals.Étienne Aymonier (1890), p. 154.

Po Patik

Po Patik or Putik (1076–1114) was the third king, also ruling in Bal Sri Bânay. He had the “nature of divided grass and knotted grass”. During his time there was great warfare, although the chronicles do not specify against whom.Étienne Aymonier (1890), p. 154.

Po Sulika

Po Sulika (1114–1151) now ascended the throne in Bal Sri Bânay. The cryptic Mangbalai chronicle says that he was of the “nature of divided grass. Then is seen a man falling.” The wider context of these words is unknown, although they may allude to serious inner divisions during his reign.Étienne Aymonier (1890), p. 154.

Po Klaong Garay

The last purely mythical ruler was Po Klaong Garay (1151–1205). He was the son of a woman with magical powers, Po Sah Ina, who created the Cham agricultural rituals. However, other stories make Po Sah Ina the sister of a much later ruler, Po Kasit.Mohamed Effendy (2013) Nager Cam & the Priests of Prowess: A History of Resilience. PhD thesis, University of Hawai'i, p.198. Po Klaong Gara is also known as Tisundirai and is nicknamed the Leper King, since he was leprous in his youth. While the first four rulers are little more than names, Po Klaong Garay is a significant figure who is revered as one of the principal Cham deities. He was originally a buffalo caretaker called Ja Samang Ong who was elevated to the Cham throne, escorted by thousands of elephants. His royal destiny was demonstrated when two dragons appeared from the ground and licked his body (a similar story is told about the later king Po Rome). Po Klaong Garay first ruled in Bal Sri Banây but then moved the capital to Bal Hanguw. Scholars place this either in Huế or near the border of Krong Fa, Da Lat. He taught the Chams the art of making dams and irrigating the rice fields. He was a peaceful ruler who made the Khmers evacuate southern Champa without any shedding of blood after having overcome them in a contest. Another story, however, says that Po Klaong Garay defeated a combined attack by the Laow (Chinese) and Yuon (Vietnamese).Mohamed Effendy (2013) Nager Cam & the Priests of Prowess: A History of Resilience. PhD thesis, University of Hawai'i, p. 69. He did not die a mundane death, but rather “returned to Heaven”.Étienne Aymonier (1890), p. 154-63.

Po Sri Agarang

The sixth ruler Po Sri Agarang (1205–1247) also reigned in Bal Hanguw. Nothing in particular is known about him except that he founded the first, albeit short-lived Cham dynasty. However, other traditions mention two other rulers after Po Klaong Garay, namely Tivak and Dibai.Étienne Aymonier (1890), p. 153. Po Dharma has suggested that the appearance of Agarang has to do with the flight of the historical Panduranga king Suryavarman in 1203, when the latter was defeated by the Cambodian ruler Jayavarman VII, although this must remain speculative.Po Dharma (1987) Le Panduranga (Campa) 1802-1835: Ses rapports avec le Vietnam. Paris: EFEO, Vol. II, p. 60.

Cei Anak

Cei Anak (1247–1281) was the son of Po Sri Agarang and succeeded to the throne in Bal Hanguw. After some time he found a new capital, Bal Anguai. The exact location of this city remains a subject of scholarly debate. The International Office of Champa suggests it was around the Phan Rang area, while Étienne Aymonier proposes a site closer to Binh Dinh (historically known as Vijaya). Cei Anak once waged successful war against Cambodia, leading troops and elephants to conquer the Khmer lands. How long the Cham occupation lasted is not mentioned.Étienne Aymonier (1890), p. 164.

Po Debatasuar

A new dynasty, solely consisting of three brothers, was founded by Po Debatasuar (1281–1306) who continued to reign from Bal Anguai. Another text says he resided in Gram Parik. In a Year of the Snake, the Vietnamese appeared with a fleet of junks and a troop of horsemen. However, their attack was repulsed and they had to return to Vietnam. Later, a new threat appeared in the form of the expansive Chinese. After subjugating Vietnam, they marched their troops to the Cham kingdom which they dominated for a period of twenty years. Finally, in a Year of the Horse, Champa was liberated after intense fighting.Étienne Aymonier (1890), p. 164. The tomb of Po Debatasuor is found in Phan Ri (Parik) where he is honoured under the name Yang In.E.M. Durand (1905) "Notes sur les Cham", Bulletin de l'École Francais d'Extrême-Orient 5, p. 370.

Po Patarsuar

Po Debatasuar was succeeded by his uterine brother Po Patarsuar (1306–1328). There are no details about his reign, except that he reigned in Bal Anguai.Étienne Aymonier (1890), p. 164.

Po Binnasuar

Po Binnasuar (1328–1373) was the uterine brother of his predecessor, and a great warrior. He was a handsome ruler who made a lasting impression. In a Year of the Snake, the Vietnamese invaded Champa and encircled the capital, which is here called Bal Suh. Po Binnasuar, however, sallied out and defeated the Viêt king, who had to return to his kingdom. The Vietnamese were massacred along the routes, their blood flooding the plains. At Bal Suh, their heads were arranged in mountain-high pyramids. After this grand victory, Po Binnasuar resolved to pursue the Vietnamese. At first the enterprise was crowned with overwhelming success. He took the Viêt king and subjugated Vietnam. Then, however, he obtained a consort there, which spelled his end as he was killed and beheaded. His body minus the head was taken back to Champa and buried in Boh Bariya in Phan Rang. His white cloths with gold edging were subsequently guarded day and night by the sexton of Boh Bariya. Some say that his head was preserved in a copper frame together with a shield and an old manuscript, at a place to the west of Phan Rang. Two chickens and five plates of rice were offered to the head twice per year to avoid illnesses. Po Binnasuar has often been identified with the historical ruler Chế Bồng Nga (c. 1360–1390) since the details of his exploits are rather similar.Étienne Aymonier (1890), p. 164-6.Georges Maspero (2002) The Champa Kingdom: The History of an Extinct Vietnamese Culture. Bangkok: White Lotus, p. 210-1. This has been denied by others who regard Po Binnasuar as a Panduranga ruler while Che Bong Nga ruled from Vijaya further to the north.Putra Podam (2024) "Chế Bồng Nga và Po Binnasuar là hai nhân vật khác nhau", Kauthara.org.

Po Parican

After the violent end of Po Binnasuar, a new dynasty came to the throne with Po Parican (1373–1397). The Mangbalai chronicle likens him to a parakeet who harboured pretensions but lacked ability to act. Cambodians, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Takan (unidentified tribe) invaded in masses so that Champa was ruined. The capital Bal Anguai was conquered by the Vietnamese and disorder reigned. The description appears to refer to the fall of Vijaya which actually took place in 1471.Étienne Aymonier (1890), p. 166-7. The victorious Vietnamese ruler captured a daughter of Parican called Po Sah Ina, with whom he had a son Cau An. She is the subject of a long legend about her adventurous return to Champa, simultaneously with her brother Po Kasit's elevation as the new Cham ruler.E.M. Durand (1905) "Notes sur les Cham", Bulletin de l'École Francais d'Extrême-Orient 5, p. 375-7.

Po Kasit