Langkasuka

Langkasuka was an ancient Malay Hindu-Buddhist kingdom located in the Malay Peninsula. Langkasuka is generally believed to have existed from the 2nd to 15th century, and to have been established by descendants of Ashoka the Great. The kingdom, along with Old Kedah, is among the earliest kingdoms founded on the Malay Peninsula. The exact location of the kingdom is of some debate, but archaeological discoveries at Yarang near Pattani, Thailand suggest a probable location. The kingdom is proposed to have been established in the 1st century, perhaps between 80 and 100 AD. According to the legend given in the Kedah Annals, the kingdom was founded and named by Merong Mahawangsa. Another proposal derives the name from langkha and Ashoka, the Mauryan king who turned to Buddhism after his conquests. On this reading the early Indian colonisers of the Malayic Isthmus named the kingdom in his honour. Chinese historical sources provided some information on the kingdom and recorded a king Bhagadatta who sent envoys to the Chinese court.