Hiuen Tsang (also Xuanzang, Hsuan Tsang) was the celebrated Chinese traveler who visited India in Ancient Times. He been described therefore as the “Prince of Pilgrims.” Hiuen Tsang was born in China in 602 A.D. Becoming a Buddhist monk at the age of twenty, he longed for knowing more and more of Buddhism to satisfy his spiritual hunger. But without a visit to India, he knew his desire for learning would remain unfulfilled. When he was about 30, he secretly left China for an adventurous journey towards India.The visit of the Chinese pilgrim Yuan Chwang (Hiuen Tsiang) to Kashmir (631-633 A.C) occurred during the time of the King Durlabhavardhana who accorded a hospitable reception to the Pilgrim. Hiounen Thsang “resided in the valley as an honoured guest for fully two years. The two full years represent a longer halt than any which the pious traveller allowed himself during his sixteen years’ wanderings through the whole of India and central Asia. The records of this great Chinese pilgrim contain by far the fullest and most accurate description of Kashmir that has come down to us from a foreign pen during the period.” Hhusen Kwan’s description of the people of Kashmir is :- “Light and frivolous, and of a weak, pusillanimous disposition. The people are handsome in appearance, but they are given to cunning. They love learning and are well-instructed.”
Kashmir is one of the most important and most famous lands in the history of the spread and development of Buddhism. In the literature of this religion we find frequent reference to the capital, and the country generally, in terms of praise and admiration. But Hiuen Chwang found that “this kingdom is not much given to faith, and the temples of the heretics are their sole thought.”
The country was prosperous and peaceful. The political power of kashmir extended to all the adjacent territories on the west and south including Rajapuri (Rajauri), Parnotsa (Punch), Bhimbar, Uraca (Hazara), Taxila (Takkasila or Takshacila) and Simhapura, which seems to have included the Salt Range.
On the whole, Hiuen Tsang’s accounts have been accepted as truthful and trust-worthy. His writings have thrown immense light on an important era of the ancient Indian history
Reference:
Sufi,G.M.D (1996). Kashmir Under The Mughals. Kashir: Being A History Of Kashmir(pp.50-51) Delhi:Capital Publishing House.
