Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c11.78

v2.c11.78

Khotan (now Hotan, Xinjiang) was the most important Buddhist cultural centre in the south of Silk Road. Around the Christian era, Khotan was the place of residence of Indian immigrants, and Buddhism was popular. The Buddhist Faxian of Jin Dynasty has even seen numerous temples and towers when he sought for scriptures. Buddha in Khotan Gomati Vihar might come from Kashmir. In early 20th century, all kinds of Buddhas and reliefs excavated in Khotan might be of Gandhara style or Gupta style. Figures in some frescoes were exactly like those in Ajanta Caves in Gupta era or after Gupta era, which was direct transplant. Some fresco pieces were of mixed style of India, Persia and China factors.