Chronology of British Travellers to Mughal India
The chronological order of arrival for these travelers is Ralph Fitch (1583), William Hawkins (1608), Nicholas Downton (1612), and Sir Thomas Roe (1615). They represent the early stages of British engagement with the Mughal Empire.
Primary Reference: NCERT Class XII: Themes in Indian History
Archived:
Updated:
Exam Year
2021
Evidence Source
Link ↗Arrange the following foreign travellers in chronological order of their arrival in India: I. William Hawkins II. Ralph Fitch III. Sir Thomas Roe IV. Nicholsa Dawnton
[UPPCS (Pre.) 2021]
Detailed Solution & Historical Context
Concept
European contact with the Mughal Empire evolved from early exploratory voyages to formal diplomatic missions. Each traveler represents a specific phase of the East India Company's attempts to secure trading rights.
Authentic Source Evidence
Ralph Fitch (1583) was one of the earliest to arrive, visiting during Akbar's reign. William Hawkins (1608) followed as the first EIC ambassador to Jahangir. Nicholas Downton (1612) arrived next as a naval commander and negotiator, and finally, Sir Thomas Roe (1615) came as the formal English Ambassador.
Analytical Breakdown
Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic
"What was the mission of Sir Thomas Roe?"
Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip
"The transition from Ralph Fitch (a merchant) to Sir Thomas Roe (an ambassador) shows the increasing formalization of British-Mughal diplomatic relations."
Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)
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