Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champa; Vol. II: Suvarnadvipa) v2.c13.350

v2.c13.350

On the whole it can be definitely laid down, that trade and commercial activity were the first, and, for a long time, the only incentive to the perilous voyages across the sea. The traders spread Indian culture along with their wares, and as opportunities offered, they might have seized the political power. But it is only at a comparatively later age, that adventurous Kṣatriya princes came to seek their fortune, or individual monk or bands of missionaries came to propagate their religious doctrines. We possess evidence of both, but they all belong to a later period.