Chinese traders sailed in ships like this one
Arab merchants on a trading mission1) P'o-li The Chinese records of the sixth century mention a place called P'o-li on the northwest coast of Borneo.
2) Vijayapura In the seventh century, there was a place called Vijayapura written in the Chinese and Arab records. These writings suggest that Vijayapura was founded by members of the royal family of Funan (An empire which was once occupied southern Cambodia and the southernmost part of Vietnam). They fled when their kingdom was attacked and captured by the people of Chenla. They captured P'o-li and changed its name to Vijayapura as Fo-shin-pu-lo in the Chinese records, while in the Arab writings, the name Sribuza was used by the Arab traders. Historians in Brunei believe that Vijayapura was the first Brunei kingdom. Vijayapura's main activity was trade. Vijayapura exported Camphor and forest produce as the main export. It was visited by the Chinese ans Arabs traders. As Vijayapura thrived on this trade, its extended its control over the coastal areas of northern Borneo and some parts of the islands in the northernmost coast of Borneo (Philipines).
3) Po-ni In 977, instead of using Vijayapura the Chinese reports use the name Pon-ni to refer the Brunei Kingdom. Po-ni was located on Brunei bay. The people living there practised Hinduism and Buddhism. As we know earlier, Po-ni exported good quality camphor. This trade was protected by a navy whose officers were nobles and whose sailors were the Orang Laut (sea nomads). In 1225, a chinese official named Chua Ju-Kua mentioned that Po-ni had more than 100 warships to protect its trade, the king was carried in a litter when he went outside his palace and there was a lot of gold in the kingdom even gold threads were woven into cloth (kain sungkit). From a report dates 1365, Po-ni has become a vassal state of Majapahit and had to pay annual tribute of 40 katis of camphor. In 1369, the Sulus attacked the capital and looted its gold and treasure. Po-ni became weaker after that. A Chinese report in 1371 described Po-ni a spoor. It had lost its empire and was totally controlled by Majapahit.
Camphor trees, their leaves and flowers
Kain Sungkit
The Sulus sailed to Po-ni to raid its treasure
2) Vijayapura In the seventh century, there was a place called Vijayapura written in the Chinese and Arab records. These writings suggest that Vijayapura was founded by members of the royal family of Funan (An empire which was once occupied southern Cambodia and the southernmost part of Vietnam). They fled when their kingdom was attacked and captured by the people of Chenla. They captured P'o-li and changed its name to Vijayapura as Fo-shin-pu-lo in the Chinese records, while in the Arab writings, the name Sribuza was used by the Arab traders. Historians in Brunei believe that Vijayapura was the first Brunei kingdom. Vijayapura's main activity was trade. Vijayapura exported Camphor and forest produce as the main export. It was visited by the Chinese ans Arabs traders. As Vijayapura thrived on this trade, its extended its control over the coastal areas of northern Borneo and some parts of the islands in the northernmost coast of Borneo (Philipines).
3) Po-ni In 977, instead of using Vijayapura the Chinese reports use the name Pon-ni to refer the Brunei Kingdom. Po-ni was located on Brunei bay. The people living there practised Hinduism and Buddhism. As we know earlier, Po-ni exported good quality camphor. This trade was protected by a navy whose officers were nobles and whose sailors were the Orang Laut (sea nomads). In 1225, a chinese official named Chua Ju-Kua mentioned that Po-ni had more than 100 warships to protect its trade, the king was carried in a litter when he went outside his palace and there was a lot of gold in the kingdom even gold threads were woven into cloth (kain sungkit). From a report dates 1365, Po-ni has become a vassal state of Majapahit and had to pay annual tribute of 40 katis of camphor. In 1369, the Sulus attacked the capital and looted its gold and treasure. Po-ni became weaker after that. A Chinese report in 1371 described Po-ni a spoor. It had lost its empire and was totally controlled by Majapahit.
Camphor trees, their leaves and flowers
Kain Sungkit
The Sulus sailed to Po-ni to raid its treasure
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