Role of Chinese traveller in reconstructing Indian history

Published on 13 Oct 2025

Major Chinese Travellers	Time of visit	Visited during the period of	Treatise
Fa-Hien	5th Century AD	Chandragupta II	“Record of Buddhist Kingdom”
Hiuen Tsang	7th Century AD	Harsha Vardhan	“Great Tang Records on the Western Regions”
Yijing (I-Tsing)	7th Century AD	Pala kings Dharmapala and Devapala	“Memoir on the Pilgrimage to the Five Kingdoms of India”

Contribution to Buddhism: Hiuen Tsang and Yijing preserved and transmitted Buddhist teachings. They brought back numerous Buddhist scriptures and translated them into Chinese, spreading Buddhism in East Asia.
Mapping of Geographical Knowledge: Their accounts provide information about locations, routes, and distances between regions and sacred sites in ancient India.
Political History: Hiuen Tsang documented the political history of Gupta Empire, as well as smaller regional kingdoms and their rulers. His accounts shed light on the political alliances, conflicts, and power dynamics prevalent during his time.
Trade and Economic Information: Chinese travellers documented trade relations between India and China, including the exchange of goods, commodities, and technologies.

Example: Fa-Hien accounts described the flourishing trade between India and Southeast Asia, noting the import and export of goods such as pearls, ivory, and silk.

Social Dimensions: Chinese travellers described the system of varnas (castes) and its impact on social interactions, marriage practices, and occupations.
Architecture and Infrastructure: Hiuen Tsang documented the architectural splendour of Indian cities, particularly the grand temples and monasteries. They described the intricate carvings, sculptures, and use of precious materials.
Cultural Diversity: Chinese travellers highlighted the diverse religious practices in India, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and other sects. They documented their visits to sacred sites and monasteries.
Note About Educational Centres: They praised the quality of education and the presence of eminent scholars and students from different regions.

Example: Chinese traveller Fa-Hien visited renowned educational centers in India, such as Nalanda and Taxila.

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