A History of Agriculture in India v1.c36.12

v1.c36.12

An account of the material condition of the Indians in the seventh century is provided by Hiuen Tsang. The towns and villages of Gandhara lay desolate due to the ravages of the Huns. The belt of the country below the Nepal hills comprising the ancient cities of Sravasti, Kapilavastu, Ramagrama and Kusinagara lay deserted and was the haunt of robbers and wild beasts. The tract of country along the east coast comprising Kalinga, Dhanakataka and Chola was thinly populated. The last region was covered with jungle. Great forests extended over the territory to the east of Takka as well as to the south-east of Maharashtra. But the greater part of the country, particularly the Indo-Gangetic plain, undoubtedly enjoyed prosperity. This is proved by the pilgrim's reference to the luxurious dresses of the people in certain tracts and the number of rich families in other regions. Above all, the general prevalence of peace and prosperity is indicated by the rich specimens of architecture, sculpture and painting.