Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c14.26

v2.c14.26

Wang Xuance went to India thrice (or four times). He first went to India in the 17^th year of Zhen Guan Era (643 CE) as the deputy envoy of Li Yibiao. He returned in the 20^th year of Zhen Guan (646 CE). While in India, he met Siladitya, visited Buddhist sites, and went to Kamarupa (present-day Assam). The king of Kumarupa sent envoys to Tang Dynasty to obtain a portrait of Lao Zi and *Dao De Jing* (Book of Tao). He began his second trip to India in the 21^st year of Zhen Guan Era, with Jiang Shiren as his deputy envoy. When they arrived in India, Siladitya had already died, and Arunashwa, a courtier, has usurped the throne and sent troops to attack Wang Xuance. With support from Tubo and Nepal, Wang Xuance defeated and captured Arunashwa and brought him back to Chang’an in the 22^nd year of Zhen Guan Era (648 CE). In the 2^nd year of Xian Qing Era (657 CE), Emperor Gaozong ordered Wang Xuance to send a cassock to India. In the 5^th year of Xian Qing Era (660 CE), he attended the assembly held for him at Mahabodhi Temple. As a Buddhist as well as an official envoy, Wang Xuance had a special impression of India, Nepal and other places. On his return to China, he wrote *Zhongtian Zhuguo Xingji* (also titled *Wang Xuance Xiguo Xingzhuan*), supposedly including 10 volumes, with appendices of three volumes of maps and charts. However, this valuable book was soon lost and only a few paragraphs are available now. His visit to India is a great event in history of India-China relations, and indicates the climax of political intercourse between Tang Dynasty and various regimes across India.