Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c4.s2.6

v1.c4.s2.6

It is difficult to determine when cultural exchange between India and China actually began. However, it is accepted that ancient Indians had known China since no later than the 4ᵗʰ century BCE. Some Indian books such as *Mahabharata*, *Ramayana* and *Arthashastra*, had mentioned Cina (ie China) more than once. In the *Arthashastra*, which was composed in about 4ᵗʰ century BCE, Chinese silk was documented, indicating that silk trade between India and China already existed.