Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c15.s2.t11.6

v2.c15.s2.t11.6

Besides, Su Xuelin thought ‘*Liezi*’ was not an untrue book, and ideas in it had been influenced by India as well. The huge hawk mentioned in *Zhuang Zi* was derived from India’s *garuda* (Sanskrit), the redpoll in Buddhist *sutras*. In the Warring States, animal fables were very popular. Some animal tales in *Zhan Guo Ce* were adapted from Indian ones. She also suggested, though there are no records of India-China communications in the Warring States Period, this did not mean there was no such traffic, since Chinese historians seldom cared and wrote about civil activities, and merchants were afraid that the government might impose heavy taxes if their smuggling activities were exposed. Prior to Zhang Qian’s visit to the Western Regions, goods produced in Sichuan had been brought to Bactriane via India, but Chinese authorities knew nothing about these activities. This serves as a typical proof in this respect. She alleged, in the course of such traffic, merchants were also transmitted the culture between India and China. As a result, she assumed, in the Warring States, China already had cultural exchange with India and was under the influence of Indian literature.