Which European traveller had observed, "A Hindu woman can go anywhere alone, even in the most crowded places, and she need never fear the impertinent looks and jokes of idle loungers"?

Question

Prepp Team · Accepted Answer

Identifying the European Traveller's Observation on Hindu Women's Safety

The question asks us to identify the European traveller who made a specific observation about the safety and freedom of movement enjoyed by Hindu women in India.

The statement in question is: "A Hindu woman can go anywhere alone, even in the most crowded places, and she need never fear the impertinent looks and jokes of idle loungers".

Let's examine the contributions of the given European travellers in the context of their writings about India:

Francois Bernier: A French physician and traveller, Bernier travelled to India during the Mughal period (17th century). His work "Travels in the Mogul Empire" provides detailed accounts of the Mughal court, administration, and social conditions, but this specific quote is not typically attributed to him.
Jean-Baptiste Tavernier: Another famous French traveller and gem merchant who visited India multiple times in the 17th century. His "Six Voyages" is a valuable source, particularly known for its descriptions of the diamond trade and various parts of India. However, this particular observation is not commonly linked to Tavernier.
Thomas Roe: An English diplomat who served as the ambassador of King James I to the Mughal Emperor Jahangir in the early 17th century. His journal provides insights into the Mughal court and Anglo-Mughal relations, but the quote about Hindu women's safety is not from his writings.
Abbe J. A. Dubois: A French missionary who lived in India for several decades (late 18th and early 19th centuries). His detailed observations on Indian society, customs, and manners were compiled in his famous work "Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies". This specific quote reflecting the safety and respect afforded to Hindu women is widely attributed to Abbe J. A. Dubois based on his extensive interactions and observations.

Based on historical attributions and the content of their respective works, the observation regarding Hindu women's ability to travel alone safely in crowded places is attributed to Abbe J. A. Dubois.

Therefore, the correct European traveller who made this observation is Abbe J. A. Dubois.

European Travellers and Their Observations
Traveller	Period in India	Key Focus/Contribution	Attributed Quote on Hindu Women's Safety
Francois Bernier	17th Century	Mughal Empire, Court, Social Conditions	Not typically attributed
Jean-Baptiste Tavernier	17th Century	Diamond Trade, Voyages, Various Regions	Not typically attributed
Thomas Roe	17th Century	Mughal Court, Diplomacy, Jahangir	Not typically attributed
Abbe J. A. Dubois	Late 18th & Early 19th Century	Hindu Manners, Customs, Ceremonies, Indian Society	Widely attributed

Revision Table: European Travellers in India

Key European Travellers and Their Works on India
Traveller	Nationality	Approximate Period of Travel in India	Notable Work
Francois Bernier	French	1658-1668	Travels in the Mogul Empire
Jean-Baptiste Tavernier	French	Visited multiple times between 1638-1668	Six Voyages
Thomas Roe	English	1615-1619	The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul
Abbe J. A. Dubois	French	1792-1823	Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies

Additional Information: European Observations of Indian Society

Many European travellers visited India from the 16th century onwards for various reasons, including trade, diplomacy, missionary work, and exploration. Their accounts provide valuable, though sometimes biased, insights into Indian society, culture, economy, and political conditions during different periods.

These travellers often documented aspects of daily life, social hierarchy, religious practices, economic activities, and the administration of the ruling powers (like the Mughals or regional kingdoms).
Observations varied based on the traveller's background, purpose of visit, and the region and time period they visited.
Abbe J. A. Dubois, being a missionary who lived in a rural setting in South India for a long time, had close interactions with the local population, particularly Hindus, which allowed him to write extensively on their customs and manners, offering a different perspective compared to travellers primarily focused on courts or trade centers.
His observation about the safety of women is significant as it reflects a particular societal norm he observed during his stay, contrasting perhaps with conditions in other parts of the world at that time.