LIST OF FOREIGN TRAVELLERS IN INDIAN HISTORY-Megasthenes Fa-Hien Hiuen Tsang....

Who were the foreign Travellers in history of India?

Foreign Travellers who visited India: Foreign travelers have played a significant role in documenting and shaping our understanding of Indian history. Their writings provide valuable insights into various aspects of Indian society, culture, politics, and more. Here are some notable foreign travelers in Indian history:

 foreign travellers in ancient history of india

Certainly, here are some notable foreign travelers from ancient history who visited India and left behind valuable accounts:

1.Megasthenes (circa 4th century BCE): A Greek ambassador to the Mauryan court, Megasthenes wrote "Indica," which provides one of the earliest accounts of ancient India, its society, and the administration of the Mauryan Empire.

2.Fa-Hien(circa 5th century CE): A Chinese Buddhist monk, Fa-Hien embarked on a pilgrimage to India during the Gupta period. His travelogue, "Record of Buddhist Kingdoms," offers insights into Indian society, culture, and Buddhist institutions.

3.Xuanzang (602–664 CE): Mentioned earlier as well, Xuanzang's journey to India during the Tang dynasty yielded the monumental work "Great Tang Records on the Western Regions," containing detailed information about ancient India.

4.Hiuen Tsang (602–664 CE): Another name for Xuanzang, Hiuen Tsang is the Chinese transcription of his name. He is celebrated for his extensive travels, detailed observations, and contributions to our knowledge of ancient India.

5.Ptolemy(2nd century CE): The Greco-Egyptian mathematician, astronomer, and geographer, Ptolemy, included information about India in his famous work "Geography," providing insights into the geographical understanding of the time.

6.Cosmas Indicopleustes (6th century CE): A Byzantine merchant and traveler, Cosmas visited India and documented his observations in "Christian Topography," describing the trading centers, customs, and geography of the Indian subcontinent.

7.Pliny the Elder (23–79 CE): The Roman author and naturalist mentioned India in his works, offering insights into the trade of valuable commodities like spices and gemstones from the subcontinent.

8.Suleiman al-Tajir (9th century CE): An Arab merchant who traveled extensively, al-Tajir's accounts provide information about the maritime trade routes, commodities, and societies of the Indian Ocean region.

These ancient foreign travelers left behind valuable records that provide glimpses into the political, cultural, economic, and social aspects of ancient India. While some of these accounts are fragmentary and influenced by the travelers' cultural perspectives, they still contribute significantly to our understanding of India's past.

 

foreign travellers in medival history of india

Certainly, the medieval history of India saw the arrival of numerous foreign travelers who documented their observations and experiences. Here are some notable foreign travelers from the medieval period:

Al-Biruni (973–1048 CE): An Islamic scholar from Central Asia, Al-Biruni traveled to India and produced the seminal work "Kitab al-Hind" (Book of India), covering a wide range of topics including geography, astronomy, mathematics, religion, and society.

Marco Polo (1254–1324 CE): While Marco Polo is best known for his travels along the Silk Road and to the Mongol Empire, he also visited India during his journey. His accounts include descriptions of Indian cities, trade, and customs.

 Ibn Battuta (1304–1377 CE): A Moroccan explorer, Ibn Battuta's extensive travels took him to India during the Delhi Sultanate and the Vijayanagara Empire periods. His "Rihla" (Travels) provides valuable insights into the society, culture, and administration of the time.

Niccolò de' Conti (1395–1469 CE): An Italian merchant and explorer, Conti traveled extensively in Asia, including India. His accounts offer valuable information about trade routes, commerce, and cultural interactions in the Indian Ocean region.

Abdur Razzaq Samarqandi (1413–1482 CE): A Persian envoy, Razzaq's travelogue provides insights into the Vijayanagara Empire and other regions of South India during his visit.He was a Persian scholar.He was also an ambassador of Persia.He visited India during the rule of Deva Raya II of Vijayanagar.

Jean-Baptiste Tavernier (1605–1689 CE): A French gem merchant, Tavernier's multiple journeys to India during the Mughal period resulted in detailed accounts of the diamond and gem trade, as well as insights into Mughal society.

François Bernier (1620–1688 CE): A French physician and traveler, Bernier visited India during the Mughal period. His observations on the society, culture, and administration of the Mughal Empire are well-documented.

Thomas Roe (1581–1644 CE): An English diplomat, Roe visited the Mughal court during the reign of Emperor Jahangir. His writings shed light on the diplomatic relations between England and the Mughal Empire.

Jean de Thévenot (1633–1667 CE): A French traveler, Thévenot's accounts of his journey to India provide insights into the Mughal court and the socio-cultural landscape of the time.

Paolo della Valle (17th century CE): An Italian traveler, Paolo della Valle visited India during the Mughal Empire's reign. His writings, known as "Viaggio dell'India Orientale," provide an account of the Mughal court and society.

These travelers' accounts offer valuable historical insights into the political, economic, cultural, and social aspects of medieval India. They also contribute to our understanding of the interactions between India and other parts of the world during that era. During medieval history, India continued to attract foreign travelers, traders, and scholars who left behind accounts that offer valuable insights into this dynamic period

 

FAQ.

Q1.Who was the first foreign traveller to India? 

Ans. Megasthenes, ambassador of Seleucus Nikator was the first foreign traveller to India.

Q2.Who were the most popular foreign envoys in ancient India?

Ans. Ancient India has witnessed the visit of great foreign envoys from all over the world. Few of the most popular foreign travelers of ancient India include Al-Masudi, Fa-Hien, Hiuen-Tsang, Marco Polo and Abdul Razak, etc. It was through the records and writings of these travelers, the world first heard about India and her people.

Q3.Why do foreigners visit India?

Ans. India is a land of beautiful culture and tradition. This draws many foreigners from different countries to our land. A great number of foreign travellers have visited India and appreciated the beauty of our country in different ways- poetry, books, travelogue. Megasthenes, ambassador of Seleucus Nikator was the first foreign traveller to India.