Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c5.s1.31

v1.c5.s1.31

Silk and silk fabrics formed the main exports from China. According to *juan* 489 in the *Song Shu*, Chinese emperors would generously reward the envoys who came to pay tribute from all parts of India with silk. Indian monks who came bearing Buddhist scriptures and Buddha statues, would be rewarded with “purple cassocks and bunches of silks”. Of the Chinese silk that was transported to India, only some part was bought locally, while the rest was transshipped to other countries. For example, in *juan* 2 of the Song period work *Ling Wai Dai Da* (Lands beyond the passes) by Zhou Qufei, merchants from China, after arriving at Kollam (Quilon) on the Malabar coast, would then go on to the Persian Gulf and Red Sea area in smaller boats. There are many references to Chinese silk being shipped to India in Yuan dynasty records as well.