ABOUT HER:

Sembavalam was a 16 years old little princess who lived approximately before 2000 years in the Kingdom called “AYUTA” (Now it is known as Kanya Kumari, South Tamil Nadu). “AYUTA” was the Kingdom of the Pandyan Empire in Ancient Tamil Nadu.

Sembalavam is also known as Heo Hwang ok (Korean name). It was mentioned in the Korean Ancient Book “SAMGUK YUSA” written by a Buddhist monk in the 13th Century.

TRAVELLING TO KOREA:

The Historical records clearly show that the people of Ancient Tamilakam had a Good Relationship with the Rest of the World in terms of Maritime Trade and Soft Power Diplomacy. Sembavalam had Travelled to Korea to Marry Kim Suro along with her Slaves and Countries from Tamil Nadu. The Motive and Intension of the Journey of the Princess to Korea might be a Major factor that Contributed to the Spread of Tamil Culture over Korea and Make the Economical Connection with Korea.

According to some People, Sembavalam had gone to Korea to Marry Kim Suro. The Countries of King Suro had Requested him to select a wife from the Maidens they would bring to the Court. However, Suro stated that his Selection of wife will be commanded by the Heavens. Surprisingly Heavenly Lord appeared in Her Parents' Dream and Told them that to Send Sembavalam to Gaya (Kingdom of Korea) because King Kim Suro had not found a Queen. But according to the Tamil Researchers especially Orissa Babu, for only economic purposes,  Sembavalam was sent to Korea by Her Parents.

MARRYING TO KIM SURO :

Kim Suro had been Chosen as the First King of Gaya. Sembavalam was married to Kim Suro in the Year 48CE. At the Time of Sembavalam’s Arrival so many People asked her that where she was coming and What was her Native?. Sembavalam said that She was from the “AYUTA Kingdom”.

AYUTA and AYODHYA :

The “AYUTA Kingdom” refers to the "AYI Kingdom” that belonged to the Pandyan Dynasty of Ancient Tamil Nadu. But Some People Wrongly connected the Ayuta Kingdom with Ayodhya in North India.

They had Built a Memorial place for Sembavalam in Ayodhya. It is noteworthy that after then many scholars protested and put forward many claims that Sembavalam belonged to Tamil Nadu.

PROOFS FOR SEMBAVALAM BELONGED TO TAMIL NADU:

•  The Ancient Name of Ayodhya was Saketa during that time when Samguk Yusa was Written Long back in the 13th Century. And Ayodhya hasn’t any Sea or Port area. But Sembavalam said that she had Arrived by Sea. Therefore it doesn’t refer to Ayodhya.
•  Princess Sembavalam carried with her the Symbol of Twin Fish in Trident. The Pandyan Kingdom depicts Two Fishes on their Flags, Coins, and Emblem. So it proves that Sembavalam belonged to the Pandya Kingdom.
•  Sembavalam was a Pure Tamil Name which means that Red Coral. Similarly, her Korean Name “Heo Hwang Ok” also shares the Same Meaning.

• Sembavalam and her Slaves used to bring Seven Stones with them to save them from sea disasters. Still that Stones were put near her Memorial place in Korea. This Tradition is Called “Nadukal” in Ancient Tamil Nadu. You can’t Find this Tradition anywhere in India except Tamilakam (Ancient Tamil Nadu).
• Their Food Habits also has synced with Tamilian’s Food Habits. They both are Largely Rice Eaters.
• Still, in Korea, they call their Mom and Dad Amma and Appa (Which means Mom and Dad in the Tamil Language). They use some more words which are as same as in Tamil. Researchers have found 500 Words that are similar in Korean and Tamil.
• Pearl Hunting is also a Unique similarity between both of them (Tamilians and Koreans). The activities like Pearl Hunting in the Industry of Coral Ornaments were familiar only in Ancient Tamil Nadu about 2000 years ago. Surprisingly even today Women in Tamil Nadu and South Korea are involved in deep-sea hunting.

GENERATIONS OF SEMBAVALAM: 

Sembavalam and Suro had 12 Children. Incredibly more than six million Koreans or almost 10% of the Korean population are the Direct Descendants of her 12 Children. Especially including Gimhae Kim, Heo, and Lee clans have been found to be the Direct Descendants of Princess Sembavalam and Suro.

As a Tamil-born Girl, I'm very Proud and Happy that I have born in a Place where a Princess who is the God of the Korean people was belonged to.

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