An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c13.1

v1.c13.1

India's cultural contacts with the outside world go back to prehistoric times [particularly for e. Indian Neolithic see 4.6.6; for the Harappa see 4.9]. In historical times contacts between India and the Achaemenian empire, the Graeco-Bactrian kingdoms and the Roman world were well-developed. Indeed, by the 3rd century b.c. a caravan highway ran from Taxila *via* Kandahar, Persepolis and Susa to Seleucia on the Tigirs, while another road ran *via* Kandahar, Herat and Ecbatana to Seleucia and was joined by the Taxila-Kabul-Bactria route. Besides there was also a coastal sea-route to Selecucia along the Persian Gulf and up the Tigris. It was by this route that Greek travellers, envoys, and craftsmen reached the Mauryan empire. Sino-Indian intercourse depended partly on the thriving trade along the Silk Routes and was partly a consequence of the spread of Buddhism in China and other parts of Asia. As a result of India's regular and intimate contacts with the e. and the w. a considerable number of foreign objects have been found at various sites, not to speak of foreign elements influencing Indian products, artistic or otherwise, which are not included here. [For foreign pottery see 11.18-21; 11.25.]