Abstract:
When examining the relationship that existed in the period of the Abbasid empire, a
significant stage in the connections between Sri Lanka and West Asia may be seen. It could
be believed that during the time of Emperor Harun-al-Rashid, these relationships may have
prevailed on a fairly large scale. In modern times, many scholars have begun to engage in
surveys relating to historical facts in legends originating in the past. The story of Sindbad the
Sailor of Arabian Nights fame too is one such a legend. However, it is a legend which
portrays certain true incidents pertaining to a series of commercial activities which took place
in the Indian Ocean during the early medieval period. It further reveals the traffic-in people,
food and ideas-existed between Sri Lanka and Baghdad. Scholars who edited Sindbad‟s
adventures at a later stage attached it to the Arabian Nights, and transformed the same into a
fairy tale. It must however be remembered that it was a separate aspect and it was written in
the 9th or 10th century A.D. But what is important in this study is not to discuss whether
Sindbad was a historical figure or not, but whether the series of facts revolving around him
are of historical importance or not.
