Historian William Dalrymple argues that India's influence spread far and wide before the Silk Road. He calls this zone of influence the "Indosphere" where Indian culture, art, and science traveled from Afghanistan to Japan. Through trade, Buddhism, and the number zero, India's influence reached places like Rome, Cambodia, and China. This period of globalization ended around the 13th century due to invasions and new trade routes. Dalrymple highlights India's ability to learn from other cultures as a key factor in its scientific advancements.