Po-li identified as Brunei, how true is it?

In the Liang Dynasty (502-557AD) it was mentioned that Po-li envoy visited China in 518, 523 and 616 AD, in the Sui Dynasty (589-618AD).

Liang Dynasty mentioned that it takes 50 days from East to West and 20 days from North to South to reach Po-li (sailing of course), while the Sui Dynasty says from east to West is 4 months and from North to South is 45 days.

The name of Po-ni was accepted to mean Po-li as written in the Sung Dynasty (960AD to 1279AD). Records from the New Tang Dynasty cannot be accepted as

a) it’s a re-writing of the old history (618-907, but only written in the 11th Century, hence much editing)
b) confusingly written
c) does not give a separate notice on Po-li

- Roland Bradell (1949).


History of Liang Dynasty (502-556AD)

Kingdom of Po-li (Pa-li, Pa-ri or Ba-ri) is southeast of Canton, an island in the sea, distance of two months from Canton. There are 136 villages in it.

When the king goes out, his carriage which is made of different kinds of fragrant wood is drawn by an elephant. The King’s name is Kaundinya and never before went to China or had contact with China. In 518 and 616 AD they sent an envoy to China.

“I humbly consider the emperor as my true Buddha. I am the king of the country Poli and now reverently prostern myself and do homage at the feet of my Lord…” – part of the content of the letter to the Emperor.

In the Tung-his Yang K’au (1618), Brunei (Bun-lai) is the same as Po-lo, in the year 669AD the king sent envoys to the Court. In 1406, the king sent his minster to the court with a tribute of products of the country.

It is told that the present King is a man from Fukien, who followed Cheng Ho when he went to this country and who settled there: for this reason ther e is a stone with a Chinese inscription near the king’s palace.

Sulu in the History of Ming Dynasty (1368-1643)

Sulu is situated near to Puni and Java. Shortly after the year 1368, they attacked Puni where they made a large booty and only retired when Java came with soldiers to assist this country.

- WP Groeneveldt