Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c4.s2.92

v1.c4.s2.92

Political and diplomatic contacts between Indian states and China were by and large maintained through the sea route. For instance, according to a section on "Foreign Countries" in Volume five of the *Song Shi* (*History of the Song Dynasty*) and Volume 44 of *Fo Zu Tong Ji*, in 1015, the Chola ruler sent envoys to China, bringing Sanskrit *sutras* and a letter from King Rajaraja. The letter indicated that south Indians learned of the Song Dynasty through merchants coming by sea.