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News:The second informal summit between the Indian Prime Minister and Chinese President will be held in Mamallapuram,Tamil Nadu.
Facts:
About Mamallapuram:
- Mamallapuram also known as Seven Pagodas of Mahabalipuram is a town in Chengalpattu district in the southeastern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.It was one of two major port cities during Pallava rule.
- The town has a collection of 7th and 8th century religious monuments that has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage sites.
- Some important structures includes (a)Thirukadalmallai (b)descent of the Ganges (c)Varaha Cave Temple and (d)Pancha Rathas(Five Chariots).
- Mamallapuram has several archaeological evidences which shows that trade links existed between India and China since ancient times.
Evidences:
- The Celadon ware (pottery) that were recovered from the eastern coast of Tamil Nadu belonged to first and second centuries.They give clues to Chinese maritime activities.
- Along with Mamallapuram,Kancheepuram district in Tamil Nadu also had links with China.Chinese coins dating to the same period were found in kancheepuram.
- Chinese monk Hiuen Tsang visited Kancheepuram in the seventh century AD to understand more about Buddhism.
- Emperor Wei (185 – 149 BC) had sent several gifts to the rulers of Tamil Nadu.
- The ancient poems “Pattinappalai” that was written in Sangam period (1st to 6th century BC) cites anchorage of Chinese ships in the east coast of Tamil Nadu.
- The Chinese text Han Annals written in the same period as that of Sangam period has reference to the Tamil country.
