Indian Epigraphy c9.t3.7

c9.t3.7

About the last quarter of the 4th century B.C., Nearchus seems to have noted that the Indians used to write letters on well-beaten cotton cloth.⁴ According to the *Life of Hiuen Tsiang* by Hwui Li, king Harṣa 'wrote some letters on fine white cotton stuff and sealed them with red wax (or a composition)' and they were handed over to the official guides (called *Mahattaras*) of the Chinese pilgrim for presenting them to the authorities of the countries through which the pilgrim would pass.⁵ The *Harṣacarita* (Ucchvāsa V) mentions a *lekha* or letter brought to Harṣa by a person, which is stated to have been 'tied in his forehead-wrap of rags of deep indigo blue', i.e. in his blue turban.