Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c13.s3.t2.87

v2.c13.s3.t2.87

As described in the *Ling Wai Dai Da*, Kollam locals had dark skin, straight hair and beards and they often wore white cloth and red leather shoes. In normal times, they liked to practice archery and in wartime, they bound their hair with colourful cloth. The king also used to wrap a cloth around himself. He sometimes rode an elephant when going out. According to this work, people in this state believed in Buddhism. Many Arabs lived there. According to the *Zhu Fan Zhi*, Kollam was abounded with coconut and logwood. The wine there was brewed with honey and coconut flower juice. The Yuan government attached great importance to the state of Julan. The Yuan History records that “only Maabar (Zhunian in the southeast of India, that is, the Chola state) and Julan can lead all nations but Julan is the protector of Maabar.” Kublai Khan once sent Yang Tingbi and others to visit Julan. In March 1282, Kollam sent an envoy to the Yuan.