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Subject: Foreign Travellers

  • Assess the importance of the accounts of the Chinese and Arab travellers in the reconstruction of the history of India.

    Accounts of Chinese and Arab travellers constitute invaluable external, providing contemporary observations on polity, society, economy, religion, and culture.

    Importance of Chinese Travellers’ Accounts

    Political and Administrative History – Eg- writings of Faxian (4th C) and Xuanzang (7th C) provide firm dates for the reigns of Chandragupta II and Harshavardhana, respectively

    Religious Life and Institutions – Detailed descriptions of Buddhism and monasteries.
    Eg- Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) on Nalanda, Harsha’s patronage.

    Social Conditions -Eg- Xuanzang’s Si-Yu-Ki provides a record of Nalanda University, the state of Buddhism, and the decline of cities in the Gangetic plain.

    Economic Conditions – Eg- Xuanzang’s accounts of towns and markets.

    Importance of Arab Travellers’ Accounts

    Political Geography- Al-Masudi and Sulaiman provide details on the tripartite struggle between the Palas, Pratiharas, and Rashtrakutas,

    Scientific and Philosophical Record- Al-Biruni’s Kitab-ul-Hind (11th C) provides an objective analysis of Indian mathematics, astronomy, and the rigid caste system (Varna).

    Economic History- Travelers like Ibn Battuta (Rihala) recorded the prosperity of Indian cities, the “Dak” (postal) system, and the flourishing maritime trade in the Indian Ocean.

    Urban and Economic Life – Accounts of cities, crafts, and markets. Eg- Ibn Battuta accounts of Delhi, Daulatabad.

    Administrative and Judicial Practices – Insights into Sultanate governance. Eg- Ibn Battuta on Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s court.

    Critical assessment

    Cultural and Religious Bias – Eg- Chinese pilgrims emphasised Buddhism while neglecting other religious traditions.

    Greater attention to courts, monasteries, and cities than rural society. Eg- Ibn Battuta’s account centres on Sultanate administration and court life.

    Reliance on Hearsay – Eg- Ibn Battuta recorded tales of “magical” yogis who could fly. Similarly, early Arab geographers often described India as a land of “monsters and gold-digging ants.”

    Events and rulers are sometimes portrayed in extremes. Eg- Ibn Battuta’s dramatic portrayal of Muhammad bin Tughlaq.

    Linguistic Barriers- Arab writers sometimes misinterpreted complex Sanskrit concepts

    Despite limitations, these accounts enable a more nuanced reconstruction of India’s historical past.

  • The Chinese traveller Yuan Chwang (Hiuen Tsang) who visited India recorded the general

    The Chinese traveller Yuan Chwang (Hiuen Tsang) who visited India recorded the general
    conditions and culture of India at that time. In this context, which of the following statements
    is/are correct?
    (1). The roads and river-routes were completely immune from robbery.
    (2). As regards punishment for offences, ordeals by fire, water and poison were the instruments
    for determining the innocence or guilt of a person.
    (3). The tradesmen had to pay duties at ferries and barrier stations. Select the correct answer
    using the codes given below.

  • Which one of the following foreign travellers elaborately discussed about diamonds and diamond mines of India

    Which one of the following foreign travellers elaborately discussed about diamonds and diamond mines of India?

  • Sanghabhuti, an Indian Buddhist monk, who travelled to China at the end of the fourth century AD, was the author of a commentary on

    Sanghabhuti, an Indian Buddhist monk, who travelled to China at the end of the fourth century AD, was the author of a commentary on:

  • Fa-hien (Faxian), the Chinese pilgrim, travelled to India during the reign of

    Fa-hien (Faxian), the Chinese pilgrim, travelled to India during the reign of