Historical importance of Sinbad the Sailor in Serandib: Special reference to Sri Lanka and West Asian Relations

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.