Sabha or Mahasabha during the Chola empie referred to the exclusive assembly of Brahmans/gatherings of the adult male members in the agraharas, that is, the rent free brahmadeya villages. These assemblies enjoyed a large measure of autonomy.
Fa Hien or Faxian who was a famous Chinese traveler, visited India during his reign of Chandragupta II. He came through land route and went back through sea route.