A Journey Through Time: Foreign Travellers to India | Famous Books for UPSC Exam (Summary & Tests) PDF Download

Introduction

India, a land rich in history and diverse cultures, has always captivated the imagination of explorers and travellers from around the world. Over the centuries, numerous foreign visitors have embarked on remarkable journeys to India, leaving behind valuable accounts of their experiences. From ancient Greek ethnographers to Italian traders and French philosophers, these intrepid explorers have chronicled their encounters, shedding light on India's past, society, and customs. Join us on a fascinating journey as we delve into the lives and contributions of some of the most influential foreign travellers who ventured into the enchanting realms of India.

Megasthenes: Unveiling Ancient India (302-298 B.C.)

• A Greek ethnographer and ambassador
• Ambassador of Seleucus Nicator to Chandragupta Maurya's court
• His book, "Indika," provides a vivid description of India, including the Sindhu and Ganga rivers
• Revered as "The Father of Indian history"

Deimachos: Insights into Society and Polity (320-273 BC)

• Greek ambassador sent by Antiochus I to Bindusāra or Amitraghāta
• Offers important information about contemporary Indian society and polity
• Contributes to our understanding of ancient India's social fabric

Ptolemy: Mapping Ancient India (130 A.D.)

• A Greek geographer who authored "The Geography of India"
• Provides a comprehensive account of ancient Indian geography

Faxian: The First Buddhist Pilgrim (AD 405-411)

• A Chinese wayfarer who embarked on foot to India during Chandragupta Vikramaditya's reign
• Known as the first Buddhist pilgrim to visit India
• Valuable details about the Gupta dynasty and the social and economic spheres
• Notable visit to Lumbini and documented in "Record of Buddhist Kingdom"

Xuanzang: Discovering Harsha Vardhana's India (630 AD)

• A Chinese traveller who spent 15 years in India
• Visited during Harsha Vardhana's supremacy
• Study of the caste system and authorship of "Si-Yu-Ki" or "The Records of Western World"

I-Tsing: Exploring Buddhism in India (671-695 AD)

• A Chinese traveller whose journey focused on Buddhism
• His work includes biographies of important monks

Al Samudi: Arab Account of India (AD 957)

• An Arab traveller whose book "Muruj-ul-Zehab" discusses India's political, economic, and religious history

Al-Beruni: The First Muslim Scholar in India (1024-1030 A.D.)

• A Persian scholar who arrived in India with Mahmud of Ghazni
• Considered the Father of Indology
• His book "Tahqiq-i-Hind" is a pioneering study of India

Marco Polo: An Italian Explorer in Southern India (1292-1294)

• An Italian merchant-trader who visited Southern India during the reign of Rudramma Devi and the Pandyan ruler Madverman
• Offers invaluable insights into the economic history of India through "The Book of Sir Marco Polo"

Ibn Battuta: Witnessing Delhi Sultanate (1333-1342)

• A Moroccan traveller who visited India during the reign of Muhammad-Bin-Tughlaq
• Appointed as a judge by Tughlaq
• "The Travels" details the administrative reforms of Delhi Sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq

Shihabuddin al-Umari: A Glimpse of India (1348 A.D.)

• A traveller from Damascus whose book "Masalik albsar fi-mamalik al-amsar" provides a vivid account of India

Nicolo Conti: Venetian Insights into Vijayanagara (1420-1421 A.D.)

• A Venetian traveller who visited India during the rule of Devraya I of the Vijayanagar Empire
• Offers a graphic account of Vijayanagara's capital

Abdur Razzaq: Persian Ambassador's Perspective (1443-1444 A.D.)

• A Persian traveller and ambassador of Shahrukh of the Timurid dynasty
• Stayed in India at the palace of the Zamorin of Kozhikode, Calicut
• His book, "Matla-us-Sadain wa Majma-ul-Bahrain," describes life and events in Calicut and the Ancient City of Vijayanagara

Athanasius Nikitin: Russian Insight into Bahmani Kingdom (1470-1474 A.D.)

• A Russian merchant who visited South India
• Describes the condition of the Bahmani kingdom under Muhammad III
• Chronicles his journey in "The Journey Beyond 3 Seas"

Duarte Barbosa: Portuguese Sojourn in India (AD 1500)

• A Portuguese voyager who spent 16 years in India, primarily in Kerala and the Vijayanagara dynasty
• Detailed observations on caste culture and social life in his work, the "Book of Duarte Barbosa"

Domingo Paes: Exploring Vijayanagara Empire (1520-1522 A.D.)

• A Portuguese traveller who visited the court of Krishnadeva Raya of the Tuluv dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire

Fernao Nuniz: Chronicling Vijayanagara's History (1535-1537 A.D.)

• A Portuguese merchant who wrote a history of the Vijayanagara Empire under the rule of Achyutdeva Raya

John Hughen Von Linschotten: Dutch Insight into South India (1583 A.D.)

• A Dutch traveller who provided valuable accounts of the social and economic life of South India

William Hawkins: England's Encounter with the Mughal Empire (AD 1608-1611)

• Ambassador of Britain's King James I to the Mughal palace of Emperor Jahangir
• Led the first expedition of the English East India Company to India
• His encounters with Jahangir shaped early English trade relations

Thomas Coryat: Englishman's Experiences under Jahangir (1612-1617 AD)

• An English traveller who visited India during the reign of Jahangir
• Chronicled his experiences in his travelogue

Pal Canning: Englishman's Account of Jahangir's Reign (1615-1625)

• An English traveller who documented his visit to India during the reign of Jahangir

Sir Thomas Roe: Ambassadorial Diplomacy in Mughal India (1615-1619 A.D.)

• Ambassador of James I, King of England, during the reign of Jahangir
• Sought protection for an English factory at Surat
• "Journal of the Mission to the Mughal Empire" provides valuable historical insights

Edward Terry: Social Observations in Gujarat (1616 A.D.)

• Ambassador of Thomas Roe who documented Indian social behavior, specifically in Gujarat

Pietra Della Velle: Italian Traveller in Jahangir's Era (1622-1660 AD)

• An Italian traveller who explored India during Jahangir's reign
• His observations provide insights into the socio-cultural aspects of the time

Franciso Palsaer: Dutch Sojourn in Agra (1620-1627 A.D.)

• A Dutch traveller who stayed in Agra
• Offers a vivid account of the flourishing trade in Surat, Ahmadabad, Broach, Cambay, Lahore, and Multan

John Fryer: English Account of Shahjahan's India (1627-1681 AD)

• An English traveller who provided a detailed account of Surat and Bombay
• Sheds light on the social and economic life of the region during Shahjahan's reign

Peter Mundy: Glimpses of Mughal Empire (1630-1634 A.D.)

• An Italian traveller who visited India during Shahjahan's reign
• Valuable information about the living standards of the common people in the Mughal Empire

John Albert de Mandesto: German Perspective of India (1638 A.D.)

• A German traveller who documented his experiences in India

Jean Baptiste Tavernier: Frenchman's Six Visits to India (1638-1663 A.D.)

• A French traveller who made six visits to India during the reigns of Shahjahan and Aurangzeb

Nicolao Manucci: Italian Insight into Dara Shikoh's Court (1653-1708 A.D.)

• An Italian traveller who served at the court of Dara Shikoh
• Provides a unique perspective on the Mughal Empire

Francois Bernier: French Physician's Journey (1656-1717 A.D.)

• A French physician and philosopher who visited India during Shah Jahan's reign
• His work "Travels in the Mughal Empire" focuses on the rule of Dara Shikoh and Aurangzeb

Jean de Thevenot: French Account of Indian Cities (1666 A.D.)

• A French traveller who documented cities like Ahmadabad, Cambay, Aurangabad, and Golconda

Gemelli Careri: Italian Traveller in Daman (1695 A.D.)

• An Italian traveller who landed in Daman
• Provides insights into the military organization and administration of the Mughal Empire

Conclusion

The journeys of these foreign travellers to India have left an indelible mark on history. Through their detailed accounts, we gain a deeper understanding of India's rich heritage, cultural diversity, and socio-political dynamics. Their writings continue to inspire and enlighten generations, reminding us of the timeless allure of this incredible country. As we cherish their contributions, we are reminded that the exploration of foreign lands has always been a source of knowledge and a bridge between cultures.