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India has always developed interest in the minds of the world with its ancient civilization, rich culture, prosperous trade and place of spiritual eminence. Since the Mauryan period the subcontinent has been visited by a variety of foreign visitors, including Greek envoys in the first millennium AD, medieval Chinese monks, European traders, and Scotchmen. Such foreigners availed their experiences in travelogues that have become prominent historical sources today. They have given detailed descriptions of the governance, religion, economy as well as society of India. Even though they have a shortcoming, their input will play a very important role in the reconstruction of the historic past of India.

Key Details for RAS Mains

Reason for visiting

  • Religious: Chinese monks such as Fa-Hien and Hiuen Tsang arrived in order to learn Buddhism.
  • Trade: Marco Polo, Tavernier and Niccolin de Conti explored India to buy the flourishing markets.
  • Diplomacy: Abdur Razzaq and Megasthenes were ambassadors arriving at royal courts.
  • Cultural Learning: Indians science, literature and philosophy were studied by scholars such as Al-Beruni.
  • Writings: Geography, society and politics were documented by Ptolemy, Bernier and others.

Ancient Travellers

Name

Country

Period

Contribution

Megasthenes

Greece

302–298 BCE

Ambassador to Chandragupta Maurya wrote Indika.

Deimachus

Greece

3rd century BCE

Ambassador to Bindusara’s court.

Fa-Hien

China

405–411 CE

A Buddhist monk wrote about Gupta-era India.

Medieval Travellers

Name

Country

Period

Contribution

Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang)

China

630–645 CE

Wrote Si-Yu-Ki, studied at Nalanda, visited Harshavardhana’s court.

I-Tsing

China

671–695 CE

Studied Buddhist monastic life.

Al-Beruni

Persia

1024–1030 CE

Author of Tahqiq-i-Hind; expert in Indian science, religion.

Ibn Battuta

Morocco

1333–1347 CE

Judge in Delhi; wrote Rihla on Sultanate life.

Marco Polo

Italy

1292–1294 CE

Described South Indian trade and rulers.

Travellers During Vijayanagara & Mughal Periods

Name

Country

Period

Contribution

Niccolò de’ Conti

Italy

1420–1421 CE

Observed Vijayanagar’s society and customs.

Abdur Razzaq

Persia

1443–1444 CE

Described Calicut's trade and Zamorin’s court.

Duarte Barbosa

Portugal

1500s

Wrote on caste system and trade in Kerala.

Domingo Paes

Portugal

1520–1522 CE

Witnessed Krishnadeva Raya’s rule.

Jean-Baptiste Tavernier

France

1638–1668 CE

Travelled across Mughal India; detailed diamond trade.

François Bernier

France

1656–1669 CE

Described Aurangzeb’s court and Mughal decline.

Foreign Travellers Contributions

  • Documented Indian history, government and community.
  • Maintained religious and philosophical ideas by translations.
  • Also wrote about architecture, urban life and court manners.
  • It has illuminated the role of India in worldwide trade as well as the maritime system.
  • Provided comparative views on the East and the West.

Drawbacks to their Accounts

  • Cultural bias: Evaluated Indian customs via Eurocentrist prism (e.g. Manucci).
  • Language barrier: Misconstructions of words and practices.
  • Topicality: Whereas controlled royal courts were mainly seen, rural life was not.
  • Oversimplified opinions: Did not understand the complexity of caste, or the diversity of every region.

Conclusion

The reports of the foreign travellers can be viewed as the windows to the historic landscape of changing India. They are not bias-free, but they also supplement indigenous sources and help us know more about ancient and medieval India. Their literature is essential to history, archeology and cultural studies

RASOnly Interview Guidance Program

Mr. Ashok Jain

Ex-Chief Secretary Govt of Rajasthan

  • IAS officer of the 1981 batch, Rajasthan cadre.
  • Passionate about mentoring the next generation of RAS officers with real-world insights.
  • Got retired in Dec 2017 from the post of Chief Secretary of the state of Rajasthan.

Mr. Guru Charan Rai

Ex-ASP / SP in Jaisalmer

  • Guru Charan Rai, IPS (Retd), retired as Inspector General of Police (Security), Rajasthan, Jaipur in 2017.
  • Served as ASP and SP in Jaisalmer, Nagaur, Sri Ganganagar, Sawai Madhopur, Dausa, Sikar, and Karauli.
  • He also held key positions as DIGP and IGP in the Law and Order division.

Mr. Rakesh Verma

Ex-IAS Officer, B.Tech, MBA, and M.A. (Economics)

  • IAS officer of the 1981 batch and retired in Chief Secretary Rank.
  • Civil servant of high repute and vast experience.
  • Has been teaching UPSC CSE subjects for the last six years.
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