Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c10.s1.t8.6

v2.c10.s1.t8.6

**Influence:** Indian folk literature has a worldwide influence. In mid 19ᵗʰ century, a passion for Indian folk literature was aroused among western scholars. Through the study of Indian mythology, they promoted the birth and development of historical comparative linguistics and comparative literature. Someone even attempted to find the origin of the world’s folk tales in Indian folk literature, and think that most folk tales began in India and then moved to other parts of the world. For instance, some tales in *Jataka* and *Panchatantra*, are told in various parts of the world, especially in Asia, and tales in the *Ramayana* are also well told in Asia. Indian folk literature also has a considerable impact on China. With the entry of Buddhism, many Indian myths, legends and folk tales were brought into China and widely told in central China as well as in Tibet, Inner Mongolia, Yunnan and other places.