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Noutan 耨檀(Travellers | Cities | Routes | Trade Goods | Themes)
In the context of Faxian's Travels Different editions write the name Noutan differently. Noutan was the capital of the Southern Liang (Nan Liang 南涼), one of the sixteen kingdoms of the Eastern Jin. Faxian went there in 399, after finishing his summer retreat at Qiangui. This was precisely the year when, in the eighth month, the ruler of the Southern Liang Tufawugu 禿髮烏孤 fell off his horse, became ill and died. His younger brother Lilugu 利鹿孤 succeeded him. Wugu's own capital was Yuedu 樂都 (whose ancient site is in present-day Xining 西寧, Qinghai). When Faxian went to the Southern Liang, the capital city may have been Xiping 西平. Lilugu died in 402 (first year of Yuanxing 元興 of the Eastern Jin). His younger brother Noutan only then ascended the throne. Therefore when Faxian went to Nan Liang, the ruler of this state was still Lilugu, not Noutan. But Jinshu zaji 晉書雜記 (juan. 26) says: "When Noutan was young he was shrewd, alert, vigilant [jijing 機警] and resourceful [有才略]. When Lilugu ascended the throne, he ruled in a laissez-faire manner (he did nothing, simply hung his sleeves down at the side, chuigong eryi 垂拱而已). As for the important matters of military and state he entrusted them all to others." Perhaps Lilugu reigned but Noutan really ruled (wielded the power), and perhaps this was the reason why Faxian called the capital of Southern Liang Noutan. - Zhang Xun 章巽, Faxian zhuan jiaozhu 法顯傳校注
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