The impact of culture on ancient Indian trade was very comprehensive. This was the result of commercial and trade exchange with the countries like China, Korea, Philippines, etc. that Buddhism spread rapidly and Buddhist culture was spread rapidly and was comprehensively embraced in such countries. Dharmratna and Kashyap Matang, the two Buddhist monks, were the first missionaries to go to China, who took along Buddhist scriptures and Buddha’s ashes with them.
In the first millennium BC, many Indians in large number settled and established their colonies and had their kingdoms at different places in Indonesia and the entire Indo – China. The priests and Buddhists living in Siam in Bangkok and Cambodia worshipped idols of Buddha and Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Till date, the subject of dramas, dancers, puppet shows, etc. are taken from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Hindu mythology. Impact of trade relation on culture has been so much, that it can be seen even till today.
