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U.P. Lower Sub. Prelims 2002 / U.P. P.C.S. 1997

Foreign Travelers in India

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

What is the sequence of arrival of these travellers? 1. Ibn Battuta 2. Tavernier 3. Al-Biruni 4. Manucci

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept Foreign travelers provided firsthand accounts of different eras in Indian history. Knowing their timelines is essential for placing their journals in the correct historical context.

Explanation
Al-Biruni (1017 CE): Came with Mahmud of Ghazni.
Ibn Battuta (1334 CE): Visited the court of Muhammad bin Tughluq.
Tavernier (1630 CE): French diamond merchant during Shah Jahan’s reign.
Manucci (1653 CE): Italian physician who served under Dara Shikoh and Aurangzeb.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Option B (3-1-2-4) follows the progression from the early Sultanate raids to the peak of the Mughal Empire.
Logic 2: Al-Biruni represents the 11th century, Ibn Battuta the 14th, and Tavernier/Manucci the 17th.

Active Recall

Question

Which traveler is famous for his detailed account of the Golconda diamond mines?

Answer

Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, a French gem merchant, provided the most extensive accounts of India's diamond industry in the 17th century.

Core Insight

The accounts of these travelers shifted over time from cultural Indology (Al-Biruni) to administrative and commercial reporting (Manucci/Tavernier).

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