Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c5.s2.t6.8

v1.c5.s2.t6.8

The *Daoyi zhilue*, written by Wang Dayuan of the Yuan period, said that pepper, mostly stored in warehouses, was produced in Calicut (Kerala), India but the quality was worse than that in Shimosato (another place in Kerala). Two-tenths of the value of the pepper trade went as tax. *Shuyuzhouzilu*, a record of the countries around China, written by Yan Congjian of the Ming Dynasty, recorded that Bengal was the source of pepper. Bengal paid tribute including pepper to the Ming Dynasty on many occasions. *A Study of the Eastern and Western Oceans* by Zhang Xie of the Ming period that pepper in Calicut was valued at 200 fen per 400 catty. The *Statutes of the Ming Dynasty* in its special regulations on trade, mentioned pepper, pomade, herbs and other objects. Pepper from South Asia and other places were purchased based on the price fixed by the imperial storehouse, namely, three strings per catty. Prices varied according to the different origins of the product. The Ming dynasty imported a great quantity of pepper. According to the record, in March of the first year of the Zhengtong period (1436), the imperial court imported 300 kg of pepper which showed the large amount of pepper imported from South Asia. Pepper was also closely related with people’s daily life. In the 22nd year of the Yongle period (1424), the government stipulated that the salaries of civil and military officials in Beijing would be converted into and paid in the form of pepper and hematoxylin, of which pepper was valued at 16 strings per catty.