Correct option is C
The Tamil inscription, which details the construction of a Lord Shiva temple by the merchant Sabanda Perumal alias Tavaschchakravarti in 1281, is found at Quanzhou in South China. This inscription highlights the active maritime trade between Tamil Nadu and various parts of Asia during the medieval period. Quanzhou, a major port city, had thriving cultural and trade exchanges, and Tamil merchants were prominent in spreading their religious and cultural influences across the region.
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The inscription at Quanzhou was discovered in the 20th century and is significant as it provides historical evidence of the extensive trade networks and cultural exchanges between India and China. Sabanda Perumal is known as a merchant who undertook the responsibility of constructing a Lord Shiva temple, showing the integration of religious practices into the trade activities of Indian merchants abroad. Quanzhou was an important port in the Yuan Dynasty of China, and it served as a hub for international trade, including trade between India, Southeast Asia, and China. The Tamil inscription is an important source of information for understanding the role of Tamil merchants in spreading Hindu culture and religion abroad. The inscription also reflects the presence of Hinduism and Indian religious practices beyond the subcontinent, especially along the maritime routes. It highlights the multicultural exchange that existed in South East Asia and China during the medieval period, particularly in port cities like Quanzhou.