Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c5.s2.t6.4

v1.c5.s2.t6.4

In medieval Buddhist literature, marica is written as Mo Li Zhe (摩梨遮), Mo Li Zhe (么哩者), Mo Li Zhe (末栗者), Mo Li Zhe (摩唎遮) and Mo Lian Zhe (摩练遮). There was a close relationship between pepper and the Magadha kingdom. Pepper was an expensive imported commodity in the Tang period. For instance, when the household of the wealthy prime minister Yuan Zai under the Emperor Daizong of the Tang dynasty (762-779 CE) was raided after he relinquished office, countless precious objects were found including 800 *hu* of pepper.