Zabag (Indonesian: Sabak; Chinese: 阇婆 or 闍婆 "She-bó", "Shepo"; Sanskrit: Javaka; Arabic: الزابج "Zabaj"; Latin: Jabad) is thought to have been an ancient territory located south of China somewhere in Southeast Asia, between the Chenla Kingdom (now Cambodia) and Java. Several historians have associated this kingdom with Srivijaya and thought its location was somewhere in Sumatra, Java or Malay Peninsula. Indonesian historians have suggested that Zabag is connected to the present day Muara Sabak area, the estuary of Batang Hari River in East Tanjung Jabung Regency, Jambi province. Zabag could also have been located in Java, not Srivijaya because Zabag is noted to annex Srivijaya, and the size of Zabag is only half the size of an island called Ramni (Sumatra).
Samuel Bochart suggested that Jabad is the island of Iabadiu as mentioned by Ptolemy: "it's reads ἰαβαδίου, thas is iaba-diu, or the island of Java". He argue that "iaba diu" means the island of barley, and the word "iaba" is based on the Arabic word jabad or aibad, by which is signified a grass or a grain of barley intended for fattening cattle. Bochart also argue that the correct interpretation of Iabadiu is νῆσος (nesos, many islands) not νήσου (nísou, an island). On critical edition of Stephanus of Byzantium, Abraham Berkelius argue that the island of Iabadiu, as presented by Ptolemy, is Iaba diu, or the island of Java; and for the Persians and Indians there is no one who does not know that "diu" denotes the island, and "iaba" signifies grass or grain of barley.
Its exact location, however, is still the subject of debate among scholars. Other possible locations such as northern Borneo and Philippines have also been suggested.
Historical sources
The main source of the existence of the kingdom of Zabag was a Persian sailor named Sulaiman al-Tajir al-Sirafi, known as Sulaiman the Merchant, in his book "Rihlah As-Sirafiy" (As-Sirafi's journey), in which he recorded his journey to India, China, and the Zabaj islands in the period 851 AD. Following are excerpts of Sulaiman al-Tajir al-Sirafi's journey: Then we will discuss the city of Zabaj, which separates from China. Between the two [Zabaj and China] can be reached by sea travel for a month, or less if the wind is good; it is said to be around 900 farsakh. The king is known as "maharaja" (''al-maharij''). The maharaja is in control of the many islands so that the total power can reach 1000 Farsakhs or more. And in its territory there is an island which is the center of its kingdom, as told in the length of about 400 Farsakhs. There is also an island known as "Al-Rami" (Land of Arrows) which is about 800 farsakh in length; there are plants such as red wood, camphor, and others. And in its territory there is an island [Singapore] which is a crossing between Chinese lands and Arab lands. And the estimated distance is 80 farsakhs. And to him collected merchandise such as rattan, camphor, sandalwood, ivory, tin, ebony, red wood, and various spices, and others whose list will be very long. And at this time the journey from Oman to there and from there to Oman has already taken place. The maharaja's orders apply throughout the islands and also the mainland, and its main area is where it is located.
The Maharaja controlled all of these islands. As for the island, where he lives, is a very fertile and densely populated island. Someone who can be trusted says, when roosters start crowing at dawn, as is the case in Arab lands, they will reply within more than 100 farsakhs. This can happen because the villages are interconnected and because there are no deserts or ruins, they line up continuously. People who travel by foot or horse in this country can go wherever he likes. If he is tired, he can stop wherever he likes, and he can always find a place to stay. ("Rihlah As-Sirafiy", Sulaiman al-Tajir al-Sirafi)
Legend of the Maharaja of Zabaj
One day in a fit of jealousy, the Khmer ruler made the following remark in court.
"I have one desire that I would like to satisfy," said the young ruler.
"What is that desire, O King," inquired his faithful councillor.
"I wish to see before me on a plate," remarked the monarch, "the head of the King of Zabaj."
"I do not wish, O King, that my sovereign should express such a desire,” answered the minister. “The Khmer and Zabaj have never manifested hatred towards each other, either in words or in acts. Zabaj has never done us any harm. What the King has said should not be repeated."