Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champa; Vol. II: Suvarnadvipa) v2.c13.337

v2.c13.337

We may now sum up the results of the preceding discussion. It is quite clear that from a very remote time the Indians possessed a vague idea of the countries in the Far East across the sea. The relation, no doubt, originated in trade, and the tradition of fabulous wealth earned by that trade gave rise to all sorts of mythical stories about the golden land. The Purāṇik accounts of the varṣas and dvīpas, which represent this stage, were based on vague sailors' reports, but were also mingled with a great deal of fancy and imagination.