Read the excerpt from Faxian and identify the key features of the society he describes. Write down your observations and compare your notes with your friends-you might be surprised to see how differently others interpret the same text!
The people are numerous and happy [… J they have no need to register households or attend to officials. [ … J Those who farm royal land pay a portion of their grain. [… J The king’s guards and attendants have salaries [. .. J The cities are the greatest in the Middle Kingdom [i.e. the Gangetic plains J, and the inhabitants are rich, prosperous, and practice kindness and righteousness. Heads of Vaishya families [i.e. merchants or tradersJ establish houses for charity and medicines [ … J the poor, orphans and the sick are cared for [ … J doctors provide treatment, and the needy receive food and medicines. [… J The city has many wealthy Vaishya elders and foreign merchants, with beautiful homes [… J The lanes are kept in good order. -A Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms (AD 399-414) (Translated by J.Legge)