Examine the socio-religious life and administration of early India with respect to the writings of Chinese travellers such as Fa-Hien, Hiuen-Tsang and I-Tsang.

Religious Pluralism and Buddhist Decline

Fa-Hien noted Buddhism’s prominence in Punjab and Bengal, while Hiuen-Tsang observed its decline and Hinduism’s ascendancy, reflecting shifting royal patronage and the moral decline in Buddhist monasteries.

Social Structure and Cultural Practices

The varna system dominated, with Brahmins and scholars respected; temples, music, and dance flourished, as seen in Andhra’s Saivism and Vaishnavism. Fa-Hien also noted that Chandalas lived outside towns, indicating rigid social hierarchies.

Local Governance and Revenue

Fa-Hien recorded farmers paying a share of produce as tax and mild punishments, while Hiuen-Tsang noted light taxation and officials paid through land grants, indicating decentralized elements within the imperial framework.

Religious Patronage as State Policy

Royal endowments of tax-free lands to Brahmins and temple construction reinforced political legitimacy and social cohesion, illustrating the symbiotic relationship between religion and governance.

Primary Scholarly Sources

Their firsthand observations provide rich data on monasteries, customs, and governance, making their writings invaluable for reconstructing early Indian history.

Cultural Biases

Buddhist perspectives sometimes idealize or critique aspects, such as Fa-Hien’s idyllic view of Gupta society or Hiuen-Tsang’s emphasis on Buddhist decline, requiring critical reading to balance subjective views.