Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c5.s2.t12.8

v1.c5.s2.t12.8

Even though India produced its own silk during the Gupta period (4ᵗʰ-6ᵗʰ centuries CE), there was continued demand for Chinese silk which was of a different quality. There are a number of references to the import of Chinese silk into India particularly from the 7ᵗʰ and 8ᵗʰ centuries CE. The 8ᵗʰ century CE text *Kuvalayamala* records that Indian merchants were engaged in silk trade with Southeast Asia and China. The demand for painted silk fabric from China is described in *Malatimadhavam* and the *Jaina Mahakayas* and is also mentioned by 8ᵗʰ century CE Indian writers such as Dandin, Rajasekhara, Damodara Gupta and Dhanapala. Chinese sources record that Tang embassies as well as Chinese pilgrims to India carried with them large quantities of Chinese silk, both to defray their expenses and to make religious donations and purchase commodities related to Buddhist practices. The demand for Chinese silk began to decline only after the 11ᵗʰ century CE, with north India becoming a major production centre for silk. Nevertheless, even as late as the 13ᵗʰ and 14ᵗʰ centuries CE, there is evidence of a large amount of Chinese silk coming into India through ports on the Malabar and Coromandel coasts and through Bengal.