Cengtan and Fulin: The Saljuqs in Chinese Sources

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Assistant Professor of History, Birjand University, Birjand, Iran

Abstract
This research investigates the representation of the Seljuk Empire within Chinese historiographical records, addressing a significant gap in current scholarship. While the history of the Seljuks has traditionally been reconstructed through Islamic and Christian primary sources, Chinese accounts remain underutilized due to the complexities of terminology and linguistic barriers. This article analyzes official Song-dynasty chronicles to reinterpret the terms “Sengtan” and “Fulin” in the context of Seljuk political history.By employing a comparative textual analysis and cross-referencing geographical data, the author argues that “Sengtan” refers to the Great Seljuk Empire in Central Asia and Iran. Furthermore, the study contends that “Fulin,” in this specific context, denotes the Seljuks of Rum in Anatolia rather than the Byzantine Empire, a correction that significantly alters our understanding of international relations during this period. The findings reveal that Chinese sources provide invaluable, independent data regarding Seljuk diplomatic embassies, trade networks, and cross-continental interactions—details often missing or obscured in Western and Middle Eastern chronicles.The article concludes that a precise, critical interpretation of Chinese terminology is indispensable for reconstructing the geopolitical landscape of the medieval period. Ultimately, this study demonstrates that integrating Chinese records with traditional historical narratives is essential for creating a more comprehensive, multi-dimensional view of the Seljuk state’s diplomatic activities. This approach not only fills critical informational gaps but also challenges existing historiographical paradigms regarding the scope of Seljuk international engagement.

Keywords


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  • Receive Date 05 May 2025
  • Revise Date 08 July 2025
  • Accept Date 08 August 2025