A Tamil Brahmi letter dated to 2nd century CE excavated from Phu Khao Thong in Thailand, Mahabaratha scenes in Angkor Vat in Cambodia, a bilingual inscription at Kandahar and the many forms of Lord Ganesha in South East Asia, all provide evidence of India's cultural influence in Asia.

The book, From Kanchi to Cambodia Greater India revisited', is an attempt to explore how the 2,000-year-old traditions and culture of India amalgamated in the cultures of many countries in Asia, says T.K.V. Rajan, an archaeologist and its author.

New approach

The idea of the book is to leave behind the Euro-centric or America-centric approaches as the East has been deeply influenced by India for thousands of years, he says hoping that the book will be a starting point to study the archaeological linkages in Asian countries.

India's influence was not purely on religious lines.

Role of trade

Trade was also an important element in India's ties with South East Asian countries, he says, emphasising the fact that India's trade with ASEAN countries was bound to expand by leaps and bounds in the immediate future.

The book was released here on Sunday by T.S. Sridhar, Additional Chief Secretary, School Education department, and the first copy was received by N. Kamakoti, Managing Director, City Union Bank.