National Institute of Informatics - Digital Silk Road Project
Digital Archive of Toyo Bunko Rare Books

the importation of the Brahma creed to this region. The other names under which R.K.
Khutan appears in Chinese writings are Iuthian, Iu-tun, Iu-siun, Hou-an-na,
Khiou-tan, and Hou-tan or Hotan.

In the reign of Kao-tsung, 650-655 A.D., an expedition under Assena Cheni
against the Kouei-tseu of Beshbaligh terrified all the States on the western frontier,
and Fou-che-siu, the King of Khutan, went in person to the capital with a tribute-
offering of three hundred camels. He was well received and granted the title of
"General of the Right," whilst his son was appointed "Commander of the Cavalry
of the Right." After a detention of some months he was sent back to his govern-
ment, but his son and younger brothers were detained as hostages at the Imperial Court.

In 665 A.D. the Koung-youei of Káshghar and the Tibetans made a joint attack
on Khutan and Sitcheou, but the places were delivered from them by the aid of the
"General of the Left," whose Government was most probably, I may here note,
at Almáligh on the north of the Tian-shan range. About this period envoys with
tribute were sent more frequently and regularly, and in 717 A.D., the fifth year of
Yuan Sung, presented, amongst other native products, a wild camel "swift as the
wind." In 760 A.D. the son of the King of Khutan, who was an officer in the
Emperor's palace, was made administrator of his native country. And again in 780
A.D., the first year of Kian Chang, an officer of the palace was sent to Khutan for
iü="jade" ornaments. He made a great collection, and, loading the precious freight
on camels, set out on his return, but was misled on the route, and plundered by his
ruffianly Hoi-he guides. He himself managed to escape to Eu-cheu, where he died
from the effects of the hardships endured on the journey. It was long after this
period that these prized objects of art, hitherto only attainable by royalty and nobi-
lity, began to reach China as articles of commerce.

In 938 A.D., the third year of Kao-tsu, of the second Tsin dynasty, the King
of Khutan, Li-ching-thian, sent with his tribute red salt, native gold, li="yák" or
wild ox tails, iü=jade, and cotton-cloth. The Emperor in return sent a high
court official, Kao-khiu-hoei, to notify his confirmation in the Government of "the
very precious" kingdom of Khutan. He journeyed by the Chachan route, found the
King dressed in the Chinese fashion, and the religion Budhism. He noted that the
country produced several good kinds of wine; that the people cultivated gardens and
flowers; and that they ate rice cooked with honey. He observed, too, that there
were many Tibetans in the country, and that they were always at hostilily with the
natives.

In 961 A.D. the Khutan tribute included jade and crystal; and ten years later
an elephant captured in war against Káshghar; most likely, I may here note, in the
war against Sultan Satoc Bughra Khan, King of Káshghar, the first notable convert
to the doctrine of Muhammad in this region, and his most violent propagandist, as
will appear further on. In 1081 A.D. the tribute from Khutan comprised pearls,
coral, ivory, camphor, and mercury; all for the first time now sent, and indicating an
increase of trade with India. Four years later, a live tiger, captured in the country,
accompanied the tribute for the Emperor's acceptance; but as no body about the
palace could be found to manage the savage brute, the offering was declined.
Later, in 1406 A.D., during the Ming dynasty, Khutan, whose King was now
entitled He-han=Kho-han=Khéeán, sent Envoys with tribute; and in the annals of
the reign, recording this fact, the country is described as a royal kingdom which, from
the time of the Han dynasty to that of the Sung, has not ceased to be en rapport
with China.

In 1420 A.D. Khutan, Haliei, and Patahechang=Badakhshán, sent horses as
tribute. At this period such embassies from the extreme frontier States were of very
frequent occurrence owing to the facilities they afforded for smuggling merchandize
through the frontier Custom-Houses. Their real object, as a mere cloak for purposes
of trade, was soon recognized by the Chinese Government, and, since the large
number of foreigners entering the country in the train of the Envoys gave rise to