Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
The earliest reference of the use of magnetic compass in the Indian seas was by-
Solution & Analysis
Answer: C
Concept
Maritime history reveals the technological evolution of Indian Ocean trade. The transition from celestial navigation to instrumental navigation was a major breakthrough for sailors.Explanation
The Persian scholar Sadruddin Muhammad Aufi, in his 12th-13th century work *Jawami'ul-Hikayat wa Lawami'ul-Riwayat*, provided the earliest written reference to the use of a magnetic needle (compass) by sailors in the Indian seas.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Option C is correct. He describes the use of an iron 'fish' (magnetized needle) floating in water to determine the direction of the North.
Logic 2: While Marco Polo (A) and Nicolo Conti (D) visited later and observed such tools, Aufi’s literary record is the earliest known instance in this context.