Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c13.s3.t2.158

v2.c13.s3.t2.158

The earliest indication of traffic along the Southwest Silk Road lies in the account of 2nd century BCE Chinese official Zhang Qian. He was despatched by the Han Emperor to find a route to Daxia (Bactria) as part of Chinese efforts to outflank the Xiongnu tribal confederation that was in conflict with the Chinese empire. In Daxia, Zhang Qian noted the prevalence of products from Sichuan which had come via India. Since the region to the west of the Han Empire was blocked by the Xiongnu territory, this was an indication that Chinese products used to find their way through southwest China into eastern and northern India. The discovery of fragments of Chinese celadon pottery in the region of present-day Guwahati testifies to the trade between this region and China.