The New Finding For Suvarnabhumi Terra Incognita
The New Finding For Suvarnabhumi Terra Incognita
The New Finding For Suvarnabhumi Terra Incognita
Dr Uday Dokras
Seldom has the world seen such a protracted and pervasive cultural diffusion.
It stands a monument to the vitality and magnetism of Indian civilization.
14. Owing to the wealth gained from the spice trade, during the
Portuguese domination, Goa came into its golden age. It became the
largest city in the East, boasting of no less than 300 churches within
town, and having a population of over 40,000 people.
15. Before the term Southeast Asia became common usage, the region
was often described as Further or Greater India, and it was common to
describe the Indonesian region or Malay Archipelago as the East Indies.
The reason may be found in the fact that, prior to Western dominance,
Southeast Asia was closely allied to India culturally and commercially.
The history of Indian expansion covers a period of more than fifteen
hundred years.
17. Goa Dourado, (Golden Goa, Roma do Oriente, (Rome of the East)
so has Goa been described over the last 500 years by conquerors,
travelers, poets and evangelists. The Gods of the Hindu Pantheon and
the Ancient Sages had known Goa for three millennia before the dawn of
the Christian era as the heart of Aparanta, a mythical province.
Aparanta was what the name says in Sanskrit, a place 'beyond the end'
exotic and beautiful, where time stands still.
By the late 15th century, upon the discovery of a new route to India by
the band of Portuguese adventurers, including Vasco de Gama, Goa
became the ideal base for the seafaring Portuguese who determined to
overcome the manipulation of the spice route from the East. In the
meantime, the Portuguese also took the occasion to spread Christianity,
accordingly resulting in the expansion, and consolidation of Portuguese
cultures, languages, and other legacies of values of the Christian world
into Goa. Owing to the wealth gained from the spice trade, during the
Portuguese domination, Goa came into its golden age. It became the
largest city in the East, boasting of no less than 300 churches within
town, and having a population of over 40,000 people. To,day the Goan
people still retain a distinctive Southern European flavor, yet, combine
their native culture, making Goa one of the multi-cultural showcases in
India.
18. Since World War II has the term Southeast Asia been used to
describe the area to the east of India and to the south of China, which
includes the Indo-Chinese Peninsula, the Malay Archipelago and the
Philippines, roughly forming a circle from Burma through Indonesia to
Vietnam.This region was broadly referred to by ancient Indians as
Suvarnabhumi (the Land of Gold) or Suvarnadvipa (the Island of Gold),
although scholars dispute its exact definition. Sometimes the term is
interpreted to mean only Indonesia or Sumatra. Arab writers such as Al
Biruni testify that Indians called the whole Southeast region Suwarndib
(Suvarnadvipa). Hellenistic geographers knew the area as the Golden
Ghersonese. The Chinese called it Kin-Lin; Kin means gold. During the
last two thousand years, this region has come under the influence of
practically all the major civilizations of the world: Indian, Chinese,
Islamic, and Western. Of these, Indian culture appears to have blended
best with the indigenous culture.