Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c5.s1.5

v1.c5.s1.5

It is recorded in the Chinese work, *Han Shu*, in the *Record on Geography*, that there had already been sea trade between southern India and China in the 2^nd century BCE. The main goods from India at that time included "bright pearls, jewels (glass), rare stones and exotic things," and the goods from China were mainly gold and "za zeng" (all kinds of silk fabrics). Ancient coins of the Han Dynasty also have been unearthed in southern India, which prove the existence of trade at that time. In the section on the *Biography of the Western Regions* in the *Han Shu* are recorded the products and ancient coins in some parts of India at that time, such as Kashmir. It says, "The ground is flat, and the climate is mild, there is alfalfa, weeds and odd trees". "They plant grain and all kinds of fruit such as grapes." Also, "the residents there are very skillful, they carve on various materials, build palaces, weave wool fabrics, embroider cloth and prepare various dishes. There are gold, silver, copper and tin vessels. Bazaars are situated along the roads. The currencies are gold and silver, with an image of a horse in front and a human face on the back. They have fengniu (zebu), buffalo, elephants, dogs, macacas, kongjue (peafowl), pearl, coral, amber and gems." Among these, many were already exported to China before the Common Era.