Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c13.s4.t2.4

v2.c13.s4.t2.4

The records about India are truthful and accurate. In the book, the description about Pengjiala (Bengal) is “around tall mountains and dense forests, people gather and live here, cultivating for a living and so there is no wild desert land, but only beautiful farmland. There are three harvests every year and all things are cheap... It has a tropical climate and the customs are simple. Men and women wrap their heads with muslin and wear long robes. The official tax is two-tenths of their incomes”. And the description about Fangbai (now in the region of Mumbai) is that “it is situated among gorges and rocks, having bridges to cross over and no fields around. The land is suitable for planting wheat. The weather is warm and customs are simple. People’s faces are long, eyes white and appearance black. They braid their hair like rope and wear long cotton robes. They make salt by distilling sea water and turn cobblestone into charcoal for cooking... areca-nut is the king of fruits”. Wang Dayuan introduced early the concept of the East and West and this concept has been used by later generations. His descriptions of mountains, scenery, and the architecture, clothes, etc., of other lands are of great reference value for the study of different cultures.