Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c5.s1.28

v1.c5.s1.28

Works like the *Zhufan zhi* of Zhao Rushi, then a Superintendant of Maritime Customs at the Chinese port of Quanzhou, recorded in detail the products of India. Products from Numburi (on the Malabar coast) included pearls, cloths in all colours, cat’s eye, black indigo, Flame of the Forest plants, coconut, sappan wood, etc. Products from the Chola kingdom included pearls, ivory, coral, glass, areca-nut, coloured silk cloth, silk cotton cloth, and so on. Other things mentioned are goats, cattle, pheasants, parrots, coconut, jackfruit, white jasmine, hibiscus, corn poppy, lotus and water plantain. This information would have been useful to Chinese merchants seeking to develop trade with these regions of India.