Pick the right sequence as per chronological order in terms of visits of the following foreign travelers in India A. Marco Polo B. Duarte Barbosa C. Nikitin D. Peter Mundy E. Francois Bernier Choose the correct answer from the options given below
A, C, B, D, E
Understanding Foreign Travelers in India: Chronological Order
India has always been a land of attraction for travelers from across the globe. Many foreign visitors documented their experiences, providing valuable insights into the history, society, and economy of different periods. Understanding the chronological order of these visits helps us trace the evolution of Indian history through external perspectives.
Key Foreign Travelers and Their Visit Periods in India
Let's examine the approximate time periods when each of the listed foreign travelers visited India:
- A. Marco Polo: A Venetian merchant and explorer who traveled extensively in Asia. His visits to parts of India occurred in the late 13th century, specifically around 1288 to 1292.
- B. Duarte Barbosa: A Portuguese writer and explorer who served the Portuguese government in India. He visited India in the early 16th century, roughly between 1510 and 1516.
- C. Nikitin: Afanasy Nikitin was a Russian merchant. He traveled to India in the 15th century, with his journey documented from 1469 to 1474.
- D. Peter Mundy: An English merchant and traveler during the Mughal era. His travels in India took place in the early to mid-17th century, approximately from 1628 to 1634.
- E. Francois Bernier: A French physician and traveler. He came to India during the reign of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, staying for several years from 1656 to 1668.
Comparing Visit Timelines of Foreign Travelers
To determine the chronological order, let's list the travelers and their visit periods side-by-side:
| Traveler | Approximate Period of Visit to India |
|---|---|
| Marco Polo (A) | Late 13th Century (c. 1288-1292) |
| Nikitin (C) | Late 15th Century (c. 1469-1474) |
| Duarte Barbosa (B) | Early 16th Century (c. 1510-1516) |
| Peter Mundy (D) | Early to Mid 17th Century (c. 1628-1634) |
| Francois Bernier (E) | Mid 17th Century (c. 1656-1668) |
Establishing the Chronological Sequence of Foreign Travelers
Based on the visit periods, we can arrange the travelers in the order they arrived in India:
- Marco Polo (A) visited in the late 13th century, making him the earliest among the given options.
- Nikitin (C) visited in the late 15th century, which is after Marco Polo.
- Duarte Barbosa (B) visited in the early 16th century, following Nikitin.
- Peter Mundy (D) visited in the early 17th century, after Duarte Barbosa.
- Francois Bernier (E) visited in the mid 17th century, after Peter Mundy.
Thus, the correct chronological sequence of visits is Marco Polo, Nikitin, Duarte Barbosa, Peter Mundy, and Francois Bernier.
Final Chronological Order of Foreign Travelers
The sequence is A, C, B, D, E.
Revision Table: Foreign Travelers and Their Eras
| Traveler | Century of Visit | Key Period/Ruler in India |
|---|---|---|
| Marco Polo | 13th Century | Late Sultanate Period (Southern India) |
| Nikitin | 15th Century | Bahmani Sultanate, Vijaynagar Empire |
| Duarte Barbosa | 16th Century | Early Portuguese presence, Vijaynagar Empire |
| Peter Mundy | 17th Century | Mughal Empire (Jahangir/Shah Jahan) |
| Francois Bernier | 17th Century | Mughal Empire (Aurangzeb) |
Additional Information on Historical Travelers to India
Many foreign travelers visited India throughout history, leaving behind accounts that serve as primary sources for historians. These accounts cover various aspects, including:
- Descriptions of cities, landscapes, and daily life.
- Insights into the political systems, administration, and rulers.
- Observations on social customs, religions, and cultural practices.
- Details about trade, economy, and industries.
Examples of other notable foreign travelers to India include Megasthenes (Ancient India), Fa Xian (Gupta period), Xuanzang (Harshavardhana's reign), Al Biruni (Ghaznavid period), Ibn Battuta (Sultanate period), and Thomas Roe (Mughal period).
Important Questions from Travellers of Medieval India
Foreign traveller Ibn Battuta, who came to India during the medieval period, had come from?
Francisco Pelsart was a _____ traveller.
Who among the following foreign travelers wrote that the Vijayanagara Empire had an estimated "90,000 men fit to bear arms"?
Who among the following travellers visited a "Hospital of Birds" at Cambay in 1623-24, where he saw some lame, sick and mateless birds and some tiny orphan mice. He writes, "A venerable old man with a white beard was keeping them in a box amongst cotton, with his spectacles on his nose, giving them milk to eat with a bird's feather, because they were so little that as yet they could eat nothing else, and as he told us, he intended when they are grown up to let them go free whither they please".
Arrange the following European travellers who visited India in a chronological order starting from the earliest
(A) Abbe Carre
(B) Fray Sebastian Manrique
(C) Gemelli Careri
(D) Pietro della Valle
Choose the correct answer form the options given below:
