Beijing's Horton Rickshaw tour was fun; the pedal pusher occasionally shifts on the bicycle, smiling. The buildings, architecture, culture and rivers of Beijing completes the history of the ancient city. The roads of the city are similar, colorful. I made my way down the streets and into a home. Soon, one of the people in the home, had been told that the ten or so people who entered her home was from the Maldives. She opened a room used as a dinning room and an office. She showed a chart, asking us to show where Maldives was. International affairs and history writer Imad Latheef traced the sea route between Maldives and China, past and current. And why this route was so important both countries.
The truth of the relationship that started with the Spice Route, now maturing with the Silk Route, as well as the changes in the Maldives with this relationship. Imad noted the roads, belt and routes used by traders were the favored ones perfected over the years for the bazaars and the destination. That is the Maldives. The start of it.
"Based on geography and geo-politics Maldives straddles at a key point. This route is essential, when we tell them they know this," Imad said after the Horton Rickshaw tour.
Lets take a closer look at the Spice Route. Maldives is in the Spice Route, smack in the middle of it, actually. As most of Maldives is the sea, Maldivians had to be reliant on sea transport.
Due to this, Maldives had earned the moniker of the children of the seas. These children of the seas had an irrefutable reputation of having extensive knowledge of the seas.
Maldives is in the middle of the Spice Route, used by merchants from the West on the hunt for spices from China. Strategically Maldives was important to China. China in the spice route extended to middle of the Asian subcontinent, usually referred to as East Asia.
The relationship between Maldives and China began with spices and ceramics, developed over the years with frequent trips and thriving businesses, is testament to the enduring friendship over the years, an everlasting friendship.
Archeologist Professor John Carswell in his book "The Excavation of Man Tai" says that most of the traders on route to and from China had embarked in the Maldives.
The exact date when the relationship between China and Maldives began is not clear. But the relationship is over 1300 years. Historically China had been known as "Seenu Kara" by the Maldivians, one that signifies the close relationship between the two nations.
Even before Carswell's work showed a close relationship between China and Maldives, there were historical evidence from various islands. Maldivians are familiar with Chinese silks, porcelain and ceramics. Though the silks are non-existent now, the silks prop up in various literature. The popularity of this is apparent and warrants additional research.
Historical accounts in the famed Isdhoo Loamaafaanu, written in the 12th century, shows that Chinese silks were hung in the homes of Maldivians. Whether this is the earliest account or if there were other accounts signifying earlier contact needs to be established by more research.
While the Middle East was important to China in their trade, Maldives was also key. This gives credence to the wealth of artifacts from China found in the Maldives.
Carswell had also conducted his research in the Maldives too. He visited the country in 1974 and found out that Maldives and China had established connections in the 19th century. He dug up parts in Sultan Park and Male' and discovered bits of Chinese tiles. No historical evidence of any other nations in the Spice Route were discovered.
The Spice Route was one of the reasons Carswell had conducted research in the 1970's, extending from China to the Red Sea to the continent of Africa.
Historical scholar Naseema Mohamed writes that when Carswell was working in University of Beirut, he met a Maldivian there and inquired on the Chinese artifacts.
That's how he had come to Maldives with his family to further investigate the lead. His research had established the link between the two nations, the route followed by traders and the vital importance of Maldives in the route. The start of a free trade zone.
Speaking in Beijing, Imad said it was likely that Middle East artifacts would also be seen in the Maldives. Archeologists had been able to find more artifacts from China from 19th century and afterwards by use of state of the art "fine technology". This has been supported by Carswell's research.
Naseema says China and Maldives traded on a barter system, with traders from Maldives and China exchanged goods such as tiles and other goods in exchange for services. The remnants of the artifacts found in various parts of Male' were exchanged for goods and services.
The historical vortex I jumped into, assisted by Imad, after the Horton Rickshaw ride, stunned me. Imad sparked the interest in me to write on the countless UNESCO Heritage sites I visited in the week I spent in China. This is the first of many of such articles.
From Beijing: Mundoo Adam Haleem
