Champa rice, which is thought to have originated in Eastern India, was introduced into the Champa Kingdom by the Vietnamese Empire in the late 10th century; champa rice was then sent to Song China in the 11th century as a tribute gift from Champa during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong of Song (r. 997–1022). Champa rice is a type of rice that is native to Southeast Asia.
What is Champa rice and why is it important?
Champa rice was introduced to China during the time of Emperor Zhenzong of Song, who brought it from Champa. To increase yields, Song officials distributed Champa rice to peasants throughout China, and its distribution was critical in feeding the country’s population of more than 100 million people at the time.
What is the origin of the Champa plant?
The origins of the Champa variants, on the other hand, are less certain. According to a recent DNA test (see below), the Champa varieties are members of the aus sub-population, which means they are indigenous to Australia. Indica and japonica features may be seen in the aus. The aus are believed to have originated in the hill regions of what is now Eastern India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.