Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c13.51

v2.c13.51

Apart from Zheng He, the Ming emperor also despatched the envoy Hou Xian on missions to India. In 1415, Hou Xian embarked on a voyage to Bengal by sea and went on a similar expedition to Bengal again in 1420. This reflects the growing importance of Bengal as a point of contact between India and China during this period. The work, *Daoyi zhilüe*, by Wang Dayuan in an earlier period indicates that Bengal had already become an important port of call for Chinese traders by the late 13^th century CE. Bengal was important to China not only as a trading destination in itself but also as a gateway to the Delhi Sultanate and northern India more generally. Bengal, on its part, sent, at least, eight missions to the Chinese empire.