Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c13.s3.t1.35

v2.c13.s3.t1.35

The route from Leh (Ladakh) in India to Yarkand via the Karakoram Pass was the preferred route of trade for merchants from Punjab and Kashmir. The journey from Leh to Yarkand took nearly a month. The bazaars of Yarkand were filled with cotton piece-goods, indigo, spices, tea, coral and other items from India. From Yarkand, silver ingots (known as *yambo*), wool, felt, carpets, silk and many other goods would be exported to India. Of all the towns of southern Xinjiang in the early modern period, the largest contingent of traders from India was to be found in Yarkand. The Indians in Yarkand were