Early Kingdoms of Champa

Timeline

1. 500–530Central coastal Vietnam · VietnamLin-yi and neighboring city-states, as recorded in historical texts, formed relatively independent political units in the early 6th century, based on port trade and river-valley agriculture. Cham rulers adopted Hindu rituals and Sanskrit writing, maintaining tributary and trade relations with China's Southern Dynasties and southern maritime states.
2. 530–570My Son valley · VietnamChampa rulers built Hindu temple complexes in the My Son valley, dedicated to Shiva, with inscriptions recording royal merit and military victories. Religious architecture became a center for legitimizing royal power and integrating local resources, attracting South Asian monks and artisans and shaping the Champa artistic style.
3. 570–600Hoi An estuary · VietnamBy the late 6th century, Champa ports had become relay stations linking South China Sea and Indian Ocean routes, trading with remnant Funan, Chenla, and Srivijaya ports. Champa envoys repeatedly sent missions to the Liang and Chen of the Southern Dynasties, participating in East Asia's tributary system while spreading Indian cultural influence southward.