Sociopolitics of China According to Sulayman Al-Tajir through the Book Akhbar Al-Sin Wa Al-Hind

Abstract

Sulayman al-Tajir was a prominent and early Muslim Arab navigator, around the 9th century CE. He hailed from Siraf and was known as al-Tajir, referring to a merchant. Most writings do not delve deeply into the origins of his name. Akhbar al-Sin wa al-Hind is a work recorded by Abu Zayd al-Sirafi, which touches on the settlements of China and India. This research aims to study the sociopolitical phenomena of China as described by Sulayman al-Tajir in his geography of voyages. This study is qualitative research using descriptive methods through content analysis of the data obtained regarding his voyage in Akhbar al-Sin wa al-Hind. The results of this study indicate that there is a strategic organizational system by the Chinese government, which is applied by the Chinese community or foreign residents in the area. The implication of this study is to contribute to the knowledge of Muslim maritime history, particularly in the Asian region and the Malay Archipelago, which needs to be researched from time to time.