West India According to Hui-Ch'ao's Record

Summary

In this article the author uses the seventh‑century travelogue of the Chinese monk Hui‑Ch'ao to reconstruct the political and cultural landscape of western India. Hui‑Ch'ao journeyed through Sindh, Gujarat and the Western Deccan around 641–642 CE, leaving a concise account of cities, rulers and religious practices. The article contextualises his descriptions with archaeological and inscriptional evidence. Hui‑Ch'ao noted that Sindh was ruled by a Buddhist monarchy that maintained relations with the Tang court; he admired their urban fortifications and observed flourishing monastic institutions. Travelling south, he described Bharukachchha (Broach) as a major port with merchants from Persia and Southeast Asia, and he recorded the predominance of Mahayana Buddhism alongside Sun worship. In Saurashtra he encountered Hindu temples dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu and remarked on the mixed population of Brahmins, Buddhists and Jains. Hui‑Ch'ao’s mention of “Na‑lo‑po‑ta” (Nala dynasty) in the Deccan helps date the rise of the Chalukyas under Pulakesin II, whose military successes against Harsha were widely known. The article highlights how Hui‑Ch'ao’s itinerary complements the accounts of his contemporaries Hsü an‑Tsang and the Brahmanical records. It argues that the monk’s neutral observations—such as his praise for Hindu generosity towards monks of different sects—challenge the notion of sectarian hostility. The author also uses Hui‑Ch'ao’s notes on coinage, languages and travel times to infer trade links and administrative efficiency. Overall, the article demonstrates that even terse foreign accounts can illuminate local histories when critically analysed and correlated with indigenous sources.