Understanding the Great Tang Dynasty Record and its Author

The question asks about the author of a famous historical travelogue titled 'The Great Tang Dynasty Record on the Western Regions'. This book is a significant source of information about India and Central Asia during the 7th century.

Let's look at the options provided and see which traveller is associated with this important work:

• Fa Hien: Fa Hien was a Chinese Buddhist monk who travelled to India during the Eastern Jin dynasty (early 5th century CE), which was before the Tang Dynasty. He wrote a book called 'A Record of Buddhist Kingdoms', detailing his journey.
• Xuanzang: Xuanzang was also a Chinese Buddhist monk who travelled to India during the Tang Dynasty (7th century CE). His journey and experiences are recorded in 'The Great Tang Dynasty Record on the Western Regions' (also known by its Chinese name, Da Tang Xiyu Ji). This book is a detailed account of the geography, climate, people, culture, and particularly the Buddhist sites he visited.
• Nicolo Conti: Nicolo Conti was an Italian merchant and traveller who visited India and Southeast Asia in the 15th century, much later than the Tang Dynasty period.
• Al Beruni: Al Beruni was a Persian scholar and polymath who visited and wrote extensively about India in the 11th century, centuries after the Tang Dynasty. His famous work on India is called 'Kitab fi Tahqiq ma li'l-Hind' (Researches on India).

Based on the historical records and the time period mentioned (Tang Dynasty), Xuanzang is the correct author of 'The Great Tang Dynasty Record on the Western Regions'. His travels were patronized by the Tang Emperor, and his account provides invaluable insights into the history and culture of the regions he visited, especially India.

Revision Table: Famous Travellers and Their Records

Additional Information on Xuanzang and His Travels

Xuanzang's journey to the "Western Regions" (primarily India) began in 627 CE (or 629 CE, sources vary) and lasted for about 17 years. His main purpose was to obtain authentic Buddhist scriptures and learn directly from Indian masters. He travelled through challenging terrains, including deserts and mountains, across Central Asia before reaching India.

He spent many years studying at Nalanda Mahavihara, a famous ancient university in Bihar, India. Upon his return to China in 645 CE, he brought back a large collection of Buddhist texts. He spent the rest of his life translating these scriptures into Chinese, a monumental task that greatly influenced the development of Buddhism in East Asia.

'The Great Tang Dynasty Record on the Western Regions' was compiled by his disciple Bianji based on Xuanzang's accounts. It is not just a travelogue but also a valuable historical, geographical, and anthropological document, providing insights into the conditions of 7th-century India and the surrounding regions. This book has been an essential resource for historians and archaeologists studying the period.