Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c13.s3.t2.71

v2.c13.s3.t2.71

Kanchipuram used to be the capital of the Chola and Pallava kingdoms. It was an important academic town of Hinduism and Buddhism as well. Many splendid temples were built which attracted countless pilgrims. From the point of view of the history of maritime communications, Kanchipuram was also an important sea port. In the section on geography in the Chinese work, the *Han Shu* (*History of the Former Han Dynasty*), it is said: “from Fugandulu, if ships travelled for more than two months, (they would reach) Huangzhi, the folk customs of which were similar to Zhuya. It has been sending tribute since the time of Emperor Wu. There was a translator, distantly related to the (royal house), named Huangmen, who went to sea together with others he recruited to trade pearls, jewels, rare stones and exotic things and they took gold and silk with them. During the reign of the Emperor Ping when Wang Mang was regent, in order to show the power and virtue of his country, he generously rewarded the king of Huangzhi and asked the envoys to present him with live rhinoceros.” Thus, it can be seen that this place had trade relations with China since the Western Han dynasty and official diplomatic contacts as well. The famous Tang pilgrim Xuanzang visited this city and called it Kanchipura. In his account he wrote: “Kanchipura is also known