Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c13.s3.t2.115
Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c13.s3.t2.115
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v2.c13.s3.t2.115
Besides being a sacred place and knowledge centre, Varanasi has been also noted as a prosperous city on account of its arts and crafts, trade and commerce. Located on the important trade routes, it was famous for its textiles, perfumes, pottery and ivory works. The Sarnath School of Sculpture produced the statues of soft and beautiful preaching Buddha which was praised by the world-renowned art historian AK Coomaraswami as one of the three best sculptures of the world. The influence of this school spread as far as to pre-Angkor Cambodia. Similarly, in the field of music and dance, Varanasi developed its own style.