Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champa; Vol. II: Suvarnadvipa) v2.c20.s2.73

v2.c20.s2.73

The account of Chau Ju-kua is supplemented by other Chinese writers. According to Tao-i Chih-lio (A.D. 1349) Java produced rice in such abundance that there was a surplus for export to other countries.¹ The same authority makes a special reference to sun-dried pepper of which every year ten thousand catties of the first quality and strength were prepared, and also to coloured cotton prints and parrots of the pan-ying-wu variety.² The coloured cotton prints or the Batiks have been one of the most famous industries of Java from the remotest period to the present day. The parrots of Java were evidently highly prized. Ma Huan not only refers to green, red, and five-coloured parrots, but also to parroquets that speak.³ Fei Hsin (1436 A.D.) not only refers to parrots and 'parrot-peacocks', which can be taught to understand speech and to sing songs, but also to "hanging-down bird" with variegated plumage, which can absorb sweet perfume burnt during day and let it out at night by spreading out its tail and wings. The same writer observes: "This country is wealthy. There are pearls, silver, ya-ku stones, cat's-eyes, sapphires, rubies, che-ku, agate, nutmegs, long-peppers, put-chuck, indigo, everything that can be used, and traders are very numerous."⁴