Cha Ban Citadel: the Age and Model

Abstract

Cha Ban, the last capital of the Champa kingdom. Today, in An Nhon district of Binh Dinh province, there are some still remained vestiges of the Champa capital: ruined defense walls, tower and some sculptural works. However, because of the capital was abandoned long ago (from the end of 15th century), up to now, we cannot know when this city had been built and became the capital of Champa. Based on analyzing materials, including some new discovered sculptural works, the author of this article argues that, the Cha Ban capital was established in the end of the 11th century and was abandoned in 1471.

The second problem of the Cha Ban capital is its functions. According to the study of the author, the Cha Ban, in the history of Champa, served as the religious and administrative center of the kingdom. As other capitals of the ancient kingdoms in Southeast Asia, within the city walls of Cha Ban were the residences of the king, his family and officials and priests while the rest of the people lived outside of the enclosure. So, the author suggests, that Cha Ban firstly was not the trading center but the religious and administrative center of the Champa Kingdom.