Tributary state

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A tributary state is an independent state that has to acknowledge the supremacy of another state and pay tribute to its ruler.

Contents 1 China 2 India 3 Florence 4 Iberia

[edit] China

Historically, the Emperor of China saw himself as the emperor of the entire civilized world, and diplomatic relations in East Asia were based on the theory that all rulers of the world derived their authority from the Emperor. The degree to which this authority existed in fact changed from dynasty to dynasty. However, even in periods where political power was distributed evenly across several political entities, Chinese political theory recognized only one emperor and asserted that his authority was paramount throughout the entire world. Diplomatic relations with the Chinese emperor were made on the theory of tributary states, although in practice tributary relations would often result in a form of trade under the theory that the emperor in his kindness would reward the tributary state with gifts of equal or greater value. See also the article "List of Chinese tributaries in history".

[edit] India

After the decline of the Mauryan Empire, the independent kingdoms of Bengal including those in the area of Samatata; became tributary states of the Gupta Empire (CE. ca. 319-ca. 540), whilst retaining their political independence.

For a long time Sikkim was a tributary state of the Indian Republic. The ruler was a Maharaja, but the foreign policy and defense affairs remained in the hands of India. On April 26, 1975, Sikkim undertook a change in political status to become a member state of the Indian Republic, outdating its old tradition in practice since 1861.

[edit] Florence

The Florentine state long treated its surrounding countryside as little more than a tax reservoir and a buffer against foreign invaders, until Florence began to see its own self-interest as intertwined with that of its region and its rural subjects--a change brought about by widespread and successful peasant uprisings in the 14th century CE.

[edit] Iberia

Decisive for the future history of Iberia was the foundation of the Sassanian Empire in 224. By replacing the weak Parthian realm with a strong, centralized state, it changed the political orientation of Iberia away from Rome. Iberia became a tributary state of the Sassanian state during the reign of Shapur I (241-272).