香药在古印度人生活中占有极其重要的地位,是他们防治暑热、美味食品、治疗疾病、举行各种重大礼仪活动的必备物品。东汉时代,印度人通过频繁的朝贡,致力于把他们的香药作为礼物输入到中国。魏晋隋唐时代,借助佛教东渐的势力,以檀香为代表的印度香药逐渐渗透进中国人的宗教信仰与世俗生活中。值得注意的是:4世纪之后,统治印度的笈多王朝是婆罗门教的保护者。这一时期,种姓制度得到加强,商人社会地位低下,印度商人减少了对海外贸易的参与,遂使得中印之间海陆路上的香药贸易权分别落入了波斯人和粟特人手中。此外,印度香药也受到南海诸国香药的强烈竞争。 Xiang medicine occupies an extremely important position in the ancient Indian life and is an essential item for preventing and curing hot flashes, delicious foods, treating diseases and holding various major ceremonial activities. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, Indians committed themselves to importing their fragrant herbs as gifts into China through frequent tribute. During the Wei, Jin and Sui dynasties, with the help of the eastward influence of Buddhism, Indian incense represented by sandalwood gradually infiltrated into Chinese religious beliefs and secular life. It is worth noting that after the 4th century, the Pena Dynasty, the ruler of India, is the protector of Brahmanism. During this period, the caste system was strengthened, the social status of traders was low, and Indian businessmen reduced their participation in overseas trade, thereby allowing the trade rights of incense on land and sea between China and India to fall into the hands of Persian and Sogdian respectively. In addition, Indian fragrances are also strongly competitive with the fragrant herbs in the South China Sea.