Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c13.s3.t2.49

v2.c13.s3.t2.49

Chinese works on geography also had many records about the Chola. According to '*Ling Wai Dai Da*' of Zhou Qufei in the Southern Song period (1135-1189), the Chola often waged war with countries to the west. It had 60,000 war elephants. In wartime, the warriors stood on the howdahs on the elephants' backs. Spears were used in close fighting and bows and arrows for fighting at a distance. Victorious elephants were also honoured. People here were more impulsive, he claimed. If there were people who despised each other, they would fight with short swords right in front of the king, and even if they died, they had no regrets. Fathers, sons and brothers would not use the same stoves and utensils but they were loyal to each other. The *Zhu Fan Zhi* of Zhao Rushi (1170 – 1231) also contains detailed descriptions about the Chola system of marriage and divorce.