On Yuan Chwang’s Travels in India AD 629-645 | 2 Volumes bound together | with two maps and an itinerary by Vincent A. Smith

On Yuan Chwang’s Travels in India by Thomas Watters is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the history, culture, and religious evolution of ancient India. Originally published in two volumes in 1904-05, this work has been reprinted into a single, handy volume. Watters’ meticulous research and expertise in Buddhist literature, combined with his knowledge of Pali and Sanskrit, provide readers with a comprehensive and accurate account of Yuan Chwang’s travels. Yuan Chwang, also known as Hiuen Tsiang, traveled extensively across India from AD 629 to 645, documenting his journey in the work titled “Hsi-yu-shi” in Chinese. His records are crucial for understanding one of the golden periods of Indian history. Thomas Watters’ translation and study of these records present a corrected and detailed rendition, improving upon earlier translations, such as those by Samuel Beal, which contained numerous errors. Watters not only translates the travels but also discusses and identifies all the Sanskrit names of places and persons mentioned in the original Chinese text, providing an elaborate index for reference. The book includes a graphic itinerary in two maps, arranged by Vincent A. Smith, offering visual representation of Yuan Chwang’s journey. This makes the work more accessible and engaging for readers. Historians, scholars, and students of Buddhism will gain valuable insights into ancient Indian history and Buddhist literature. General readers and travel enthusiasts will enjoy the detailed historical travelogue of Yuan Chwang’s journey.