Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c15.t1.1

v2.c15.t1.1

The contacts between China and India that were recorded could be traced to the 2nd century BCE. In the exchange history over 2,000 years, the understanding of Chinese people about India was deepened and the Indian research was continuously enriched. Before the 10th century, the Indian studies in China were Buddhism-centered. After the 10th century, the business and trade contacts between two countries became more prosperous while the cultural exchanges relatively decreased. At the end of 19th century, both the countries faced the invasion of western colonialism. Some Chinese intellectuals represented by Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao, Sun Yat-sen, Zhang Binglin began the studies of Indian politics, economy and society with original intention of learning from the experience and saving the country. Thus Indian studies in China germinated. At the beginning of 20th century, Chinese people's interest in Indian studies gradually expanded to the area of culture, history, politics, economy etc., and the depth and width of the research was increased, forming a relatively complete discipline system. Development of Indian studies in China was divided into two periods: before the year of 1950 and after the year of 1950.