Wang Xuance (Chinese: 王玄策; pinyin: Wáng Xuáncè, fl. 7th century) was a Chinese diplomat, military general, and travel writer. In 648, Tang Taizong sent him to India in response to Harshavardhana sending an ambassador to China.[1] However once in India he discovered Harshavardhana had died and the new king Aluonashun (supposedly Arunāsva) attacked Wang and his 30 mounted subordinates.[2] This led to Wang Xuance escaping to Tibet and then mounting a joint of over 7,000 Nepalese mounted infantry and 1,200 Tibetan infantry and attack on the Indian state on June 16. The success of this attack won Xuance the prestigious title of the "Grand Master for the Closing Court."[3] He also secured a reported Buddhist relic for China.[4] 2,000 prisoners were taken from Magadha by the Nepali and Tibetan forces under Wang.[5] Tibetan and Chinese writings document describe Wang Xuance's raid on India with Tibetan soldiers.[6] Nepal had been subdued by the Tibetan King Songtsen.[7] The Indian pretender was among the captives.[8][9] The war happened in 649.[10] Taizong's grave had a statue of the Indian pretender.[11] The pretender's name was recorded in Chinese records as "Na-fu-ti O-lo-na-shuen" (probably a reference to Tirabhukti and Arunasva).[12][13] The war had lasted 3 days.[14]

He wrote the book Zhong Tianzhu Guo Xingji (Travel Notes of Central India), which included a wealth of geographical information.[15]

References

  1. ^ Sen 2003, pp. 9, 22–24.
  2. ^ The Hutchinson Dictionary of Ancient & Medieval Warfare By Matthew Bennett, Peter Connoll: pg 336
  3. ^ Buddhism, Diplomacy, and Trade: The Realignment of Sino-Indian Relations ... By Tansen Sen, pg 23
  4. ^ The Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies By International Association of Buddhist Studies
  5. ^ Charles D. Benn (2002). Daily Life in Traditional China: The Tang Dynasty. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 38–. ISBN 978-0-313-30955-7.
  6. ^ Tansen Sen (January 2003). Buddhism, Diplomacy, and Trade: The Realignment of Sino-Indian Relations, 600-1400. University of Hawaii Press. pp. 253–. ISBN 978-0-8248-2593-5.
  7. ^ Tansen Sen (January 2003). Buddhism, Diplomacy, and Trade: The Realignment of Sino-Indian Relations, 600-1400. University of Hawaii Press. pp. 22–. ISBN 978-0-8248-2593-5.
  8. ^ Henry Yule (1915). Cathay and the Way Thither, Being a Collection of Medieval Notices of China. Asian Educational Services. pp. 69–. ISBN 978-81-206-1966-1.
  9. ^ Odorico (da Pordenone); Rashīd al-Dīn Ṭabīb; Francesco Balducci Pegolotti; Joannes de Marignolis; Ibn Batuta (1998). Cathay and the Way Thither: Preliminary essay on the intercourse between China and the western nations previous to the discovery of the Cape route. Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd. p. 69. ISBN 9788121508391.
  10. ^ "649 – the year China first invaded India – the Acorn".
  11. ^ Prabodh Chandra Bagchi (2011). India and China : interactions through Buddhism and diplomacy ; a collection of essays. Anthem Press. pp. 158–. ISBN 978-93-80601-17-5.
  12. ^ Sen 2003, p. 22-23.
  13. ^ D.C. Sircar (1990). Studies in the Geography of Ancient and Medieval India. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 326–. ISBN 978-81-208-0690-0.
  14. ^ Sam Van Schaik (2011). Tibet: A History. Yale University Press. pp. 48–. ISBN 978-0-300-17217-1.
  15. ^ Needham 1986a, p. 511.
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