
Wiseman
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Abu Zayd al-Sirafi was a Persian Muslim traveler who lived during the Abbasid period. His book, 'al-Sirafi's Journey' ('Ancient Accounts of India and China' in English), documents the customs and habits of the Indians and the Chinese that he encountered during his travel to the two countries, as well as their various cities and their governments. Obviously, he was more interested in their habits than their looks, but he does comment on the latter occasionally, and in one passing remark he says it flatly,
The Chinese are more handsome than the Indians, and come nearer to the Arabs, not only in countenance, but in their dress, in their ways of riding, and in their processional ceremonies. They wear long garments, and girdles in form of belts, or baldrics.
(I don't know what he means by saying the Chinese are closer to Arabs 'in countenance', because that's clearly wrong; Arabs more resemble the Indians than they do the Chinese.)
In another remark, he claims that he encountered many blind and diseased folk in India, whereas in China such people were uncommon, and concludes that the air in China is 'healthier'. It seems, then, that rices mogged curries not only in looks, but also in health and general well-being.
Even back in the 10th century, it was still over for curries.
The Chinese are more handsome than the Indians, and come nearer to the Arabs, not only in countenance, but in their dress, in their ways of riding, and in their processional ceremonies. They wear long garments, and girdles in form of belts, or baldrics.
(I don't know what he means by saying the Chinese are closer to Arabs 'in countenance', because that's clearly wrong; Arabs more resemble the Indians than they do the Chinese.)
In another remark, he claims that he encountered many blind and diseased folk in India, whereas in China such people were uncommon, and concludes that the air in China is 'healthier'. It seems, then, that rices mogged curries not only in looks, but also in health and general well-being.
Even back in the 10th century, it was still over for curries.