Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c14.s4.t19: Gupta King
Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c14.s4.t19
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Gupta King
v2.c14.s4.t19.1
The King of Central India, Gupta, being translated as Jiduo, reigned in the late 5^th century CE. He sent a special envoy to China. At the beginning of Tianjian of Liang Dynasty (502 or 503 CE) of the Southern dynasties, Quduo sent an envoy called Datta to Nanjing with a credential which was included in volume 54 of the Book of Liang. Besides speaking highly of China, its rich people and wise emperor, this book also introduces the fact that the people of central India were in peace and happiness blessed by Ishvara (Siva); Datta was faithful and believable. The credence also showed strong wish for friendship from generation-to-generation. Meanwhile, the envoy brought glass wares, various spices, ancient shells and other staffs. According to the records of history books, this Quduo is a king of late period Gupta Dynasty in India. Quduo belonged to Kshatriya caste who is a hereditary king. Based on materials of India, this Quduo King may be Buddha Gupta (reign about 476-495), because that the whole Gupta Dynasty kept a unified situation basically. And it was normal for the envoys coming by sea to spend 8-10 years to come to China.
v2.c14.s4.t19.2
(*Xue Keqiao*)