Khu Liên


Sri Mara was the founder of the kingdom of Champa.
He is known in Chinese records as Qū Lián, or Zhulian, which in Vietnamese pronunciation is Khu Liên. Attempts have also been made to identify Sri Mara with Fan Shiman of Funan. on a stele recorded as Sri Mara.
He was born in Tượng Lâm an area of tension between the Han Dynasty and the natives of Lâm Ấp. In 137 or 192 AD, he defeated the Chinese prefect and declared himself king of Lin-yi. This is considered the official founding of Champa, though Cham legend dates the founding to be much earlier.
In 248, he led the Cham in looting and razing Jiaozhi and Cu'u-cho'n. The Cham then defeated the fleet sent to repulse them, at Bay of the Battle.