Even the distant land of Hindustan was explored in the search after varied knowledge, and contributed to the learning and civilization of the time the fables of Bidpai and the game of chess.
Though a fierce persecutor of the deluded followers of Mazdak, Chosroes admitted and practised, to some extent, the principles of toleration.
On becoming king, he laid it down as a rule of his government that the actions of men alone, and not their thoughts, were subject to his authority.

He was therefore bound not to persecute opinion; and we may suppose that in his proceedings against the Mazdakites he intended to punish their crimes rather than their tenets.

Towards the Christians, who abounded in his empire, he certainly showed himself, upon the whole, mild and moderate.

He married a Christian wife, and allowed her to retain her religion.

When one of his sons became a Christian, the only punishment which he inflicted on him was to confine him to the palace.
He augumented the number of the Christians in his dominions by the colonies which he brought in from abroad.