Medieval History and Travellers Flashcards
Foreign travellers that arrived in India in:
BCE?
- Megasthenes-3rd cent BC- Greek ambassador- Chandragupta Maurya
- Deimachos- 3rd-4th cent BC- Greek ambassador-Bindusara-replaced Megasthenes
Foreign travellers that arrived in India in:
0-1000 AD?
- Ptolemy- 130AD
- Fa-Hien- 405 AD- Chinese Buddhist monk- Chandragupta II
- Hiuen Tsang- 630 AD- Chinese Buddhist monk- Harshavardhana
- I-Tsing- 670AD- Chinese traveller
- Al-Masudi- 950 AD- Arab traveller
Foreign travellers that arrived in India in:
1000-1200AD?
Al Beruni- 1025 AD- muslim scholar- Mahmud Ghazni
Foreign travellers that arrived in India in:
1200-1400 AD?
- Marco polo- 1292 AD- Venetian traveller- Pandyan ruler of Madurai, Madvarman, Klshekhara
- Ibn Batuta- 1333 AD- Morrish traveller- muhammed bin Tughluq
- Shihabuddin al Umari- 1350AD
Foreign travellers that arrived in India in:
1400-1600 AD?
- Nicolo Conti- 1420- Venetian traveller- Devraya I of Sangam Dynasty of Vijayanagar empire
- Abdur razzaq- 1440AD- Persian ambassador of Shahrukh of Timurid dynasty to Calicut- Devraya II of Sangam dynasty of Vijaynagar Empire
- Athanasius Niktin- 1470- Russian merchnat- visited capital of Vijaynagara emire, Hampi and wrote about it
- Duarte Barbosa- 1500- Portugese
- Domingo Paes- 1520- Portugese traveller- Krishnadeva Raya of Vijaynagara empire
- Fernao Nuniz- 1535- Portugese merchant- Achyutdeva Raya of Tuluv dynasty of vijayanagar Empire
- Antonio Monserrate- 1536-Spanish- Akbar’s court
Foreign travellers that arrived in India in:
1600-1800 AD?
- Peter Mundy- 1600-England
- William Hawkins- 1608- Ambassador of James I, king of England
- Sir Thomas Roe- 1615- Ambassador of James I, king of England
- Mahmud Wali Balkhi- 1626
- John Albert de Mandesto- 1640- German traveller
- Jean Baptiste Tavernier- 1640- Visited India 6 times in the reign of Shahjahan and Aurangzeb
- Nicolao Manucci- 1650- got service at the court of Dara Shikoh.
- Francois Bernier- 1656- Aurangzeb
- Giovanni Careri: 1690
- Joseph Tieffenthaler- 1710- missionary
- Robert Montgomery Martin- 1800AD
Megasthenes?
- 302-298 BC
- Greek ethnographer & ambassador of Seleucus Nicator, who visited in the court of Chandragupta Maurya. Chandragupta was known to the Greeks as Sandrocottus.
- Wrote an interesting book Indica. descibed the following:
- India is a quadrilateral-shaped country, bounded by the ocean on the southern and the eastern side.
- has many large and navigable rivers, which arise in the mountains on its northern border.
- Gold, silver, copper and iron are abundant on Indian soil. Besides tin and other metals are used for making a number of tools, weapons, ornaments, and other articles.
- India has very fertile plains, and irrigation is practiced widely. The main crops include rice, millet, a crop called bosporum, other cereals, pulses and other food plants. There are two crop cycles per year, since rain falls in both summer and winter. During winter, wheat is sown.
- A law, prescribed by ancient Indian philosophers, bans slavery. The law treats everyone equally, but allows the property to be unevenly distributed.
- population of India is divided into 7 hereditary castes: Philosophers, farmers, herders, artisans, Overseers,Councillors and Assessors and military.
- No famines have ever occurred in India
- India has no foreign colony, and Indians have not established any colonies outside India
- foreigners are treated well. Special officers are appointed to ensure that no foreigner is harmed, and judges hand out harsh punishment to those who take unfair advantage of the foreigners.
- Indians are of above average stature, because of abundant food, fine water and pure air. They are well-skilled in art
Ptolemy?
130 AD
Wrote “Geography of India” which gives the description of Ancient India.
Fa-Hien?
- 405-411 AD
- Chinese Buddhist monk
- Came to India in the reign of Chandragupta II Vikramaditya. Does not mention Nalanda uni since it was created by Chandragupta II’s son- Kumaragupta I
- Visited the birth place of Buddha, Lumbini, Peshawar, Taxila, Mathura, Kannauj, Sravsti, Kapilavastu, Sarnath as well as Ceylon
- His Travelogue “Records of Buddhist Kingdoms”. His primary aim was to visit the Buddhist religious places and to take with him the copies of the Buddhist religious texts.
- As his main interest was religion, we know nothing about the political condition of India from his account. He did not mention even the name of Chandra Gupta II .However, his account helps us to know something about the social and religious condition of that period.
- It is inferred that the administration of the Guptas was liberal, the people enjoyed economic prosperity and the burden of taxes on them was not heavy.
- There were a few quarrels or disputes and the people rarely felt the necessity to approach the judiciary. Mostly, corporal punishment was avoided.
- government servants were paid in cash and they were barred from taking presents or bribery from the people.
- Monasteries, Sanghas, temples and their property and other religious endowments were free from government taxes.
- Buddhism and Hinduism were the most popular religions at that time. Buddhism was more popular in Punjab, Bengal and the region around Mathura. emperor worshipped Vishnu but he was tolerant to other faiths.
- Fa-hien lived in Pataliputra for nearly three years and studied the Sanskrit language. He described that there were separate Sanghas both of the Hinayana and Mahayana sects, which provided education to students gathered from all parts of India. The Palace of Emperor Asoka also existed at that time, about which Fa-hien remarked that “it might have been built not by men but by gods’. Fa-hien was also very much impressed by chariot-processions here.
- According to him India had trade relations with China, countries of south-east Asia and western Asia as well as with Europe. On its western sea-coast, India had ports like Cambay, Sopara and Baroach while on its eastern coast Tamralipti was a famous port from w here Fa-hien went to Sri Lanka on an Indian ship.
- mentions Chandragupta II as first Gupta to issue silver coins. also issued Gold coins for big transactions, whereas smaller transactions done by barter and cowries (shells)
- Gangetic valley: “Land of Brahminism”, practice of untouchability
Hiuen Tsang?
- 630-645 AD
- Chinese Buddhist- Mahayana monk- “Prince of pilgrim”
- Visited India during the reign of Harshavardhana. accepted as the best available source of knowing the administrative, social and cultural condition of India at that time. However, his account of India is not entirely dependable and unbiased
- Book is “Si-Yu-Ki or the records of western world”
- He remained at the University of Nalanda for about five years. Nalanda gave 3 Buddhism courses- theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana; visited South India as well, as far as Kanchi.
- Harsha called a religious assembly at Kannauj to honour him. Hiuen Tsang presided over that assembly. He also mentions Allahabad Buddhist conference
- City life of INdia: houses were of varied types and were constructed with wood, bricks and dung. The city-streets were circular and dirty. Many old cities were in ruins while new cities had grown up.
- Prayag was an important city while the importance of Pataliputra was replaced by Kannauj, described by him as a beautiful city. Sravasti and Kapilvastu had lost their religious importance. Instead, Nalanda and Valabhi were the centres of Buddhist learning.
- Indians used cotton, silk and wool for their garments and these were of varied types. mostly veg and beef was banned
- also mentions sati system and caste system; executioners and scavengers lived outside the city acc to Manusmriti; Purdah system as well but not in higher castes
- He described Indians as lovers of education, literature and fine arts.
- Mostly the education was religious and was provided orally. Many texts were put in writing and their script was Sanskrit.
- According to him, Harsha used to spend 3/4th of the state-income for religious purposes.
- He, however, described that travelling was not very much safe at that time.
- main source of income of the state was land-revenue which formed 1/6th of the produce. Hiuen Tsang described that Harsha divided his income into four parts. One part of it was spent on administrative routine of the state; the second part of it was distributed among government employees; the third of it was given to scholars; and the fourth part of it was given in charity to Brahamanas and the Buddhist monks.
- He described Harsha as a perfect HInayana Buddhist (shaivite early in his life). He agreed that Hinduism was more widely popular in India at that time as compared to Buddhism.
- wrote that India had a brisk trade with foreign countries and there were prosperous city- ports on its sea-coast both in the East and the West. India exported cloth, sandalwood, medicinal herbs, ivory, pearls, spices etc. to foreign countries and imported gold, silver and horses.
Al Masudi?
957AD
Al Masudi, an Arab writer, visited India in the 9th century A.D. during the reign of Mihira Bhoja of Kanauj.
given account of India in his book Muruj ul Zehab
Al Berauni?
- 1024AD
- He was a Persian scholar, but came from Uzbekistan. Came along with Mahmud Ghazni during one of his Indian raids.
- poly-linguist: Syriac, Arabic, Persian, hebrew and Sanskrit; was also familiar with Greek works of PLato and others from their Arabic translations
- First Muslim Scholar to study India also known as founder of Indology.
- Wrote “ Tahqiq-i-Hind/Kitab-ul-Hind.
Kitab ul HInd?
by Al-Berauni
- It is divided into 80 chapters on subjects like religion and philosophy, festivals. astronomy, alchemy, manners and customs, weight and measures, social life etc.
- extensively quotes from Sasnkrit literature like Patanjali, Gita, Puranas, Samkhya philosophy etc.
- began each chapter with a question, followed by Sanskrit descriptions and concluding with comparison with other cultures
- It is one of the most important discussion on India sciences, religion and society; elaborates on HIndu-muslim enmity and its possible reasons
- mentions rigid caste str-
- Chatur varna system and its origin and untouchability, which he disapproves of;
- based his understanding from brahmanical texts but ground situation was not as rigid
- he lists 8 antyaja castes below Shudras, not aprt of chatur varna; but were included in economic network
- names unctocuhable castes;
- discusses concept of moksha that can be attainable by all castes;
- mentions similar divisions in other societies;
- notices fast degradation of vaishyas into shudras and the alliance of brahmanas and kshatriyas;
- describes aversion to long distance travel leading to a closed society.
- mentions social evil like child marriage, sati, low position of women and widows.
- he enlists all important festivals
literary contributions of Al Birauni?
- Kitab ul HInd
- took Aryabhata’s teachings to west and translated Euclid’s work to Sanskrit and Patanjali’s work on Grammar into Arabictook Aryabhata’s teachings to west and translated Euclid’s work to Sanskrit and Patanjali’s work on Grammar into Arabic
Marco polo?
- Venetian traveller
- 1292AD- during reign of Pandyan ruler of Madurai, Madverman Kulshekhara and Rudramadevi of Kakatiyas
- describes naked people, of all status; bare minimum clothing, even by king
- describes King being covered with jewelleries; calls the Pandyan Kingdom as “The Richest and most splendid province in the World”
- widespread chewing of betel leaves
- high stds of sanitation like bathing twice, personal drinking vessel, using right hand only for eating
- describes Jainas and their non-violent ways of life
- describes Sati
- temple monasteries have both male and female deities
- There is practice that some parents present their girl child to idol which they entertain a great devotion.[Devaradiyar practice]
- horse trade was important
- Kings practised polygamy
Ibn Batuta: intro?
- Moroccan traveller, born in Tangier; Dar al-Islam is the area inside the black border was made by Ibn Battuta, as he mainly travelled to those countries which had a Muslim rule.
- 1333 AD- during reign of Muhammed Bin Tughluq; appointed as qazi
- book: “Rehla” written in Arabic
observation by Ibn battuta in Rehla?
- describes : coconut and Paan
- wrote about Qutb complex and Quwat al Islam mosque
- noted about the long famine which lasted for about seven year from 1335 AD, which killed many people near Delhi, and during this time the Sultan was busy in attacking the rebellions. describes plight of people during transfer of capital to Daulatabad
- Raziya sultan rode on horseback, no purdah
- provides useful info abt Tughluq admin, esp espionage and communication as well as credit system. he mentions postal system by horse and human runners
- provides info on slavery, caste system, sati system, trade incl import of horses
- does not mention token coins as he arrived after it was done away with
- says that travelling was not much safe; he was attacked by Hindu robbers-> hindu-Muslim discord
- found the cities densely populated and prosperous- crowded streets, colorful markets. markets also had mosques and temples as well as places for dancers and singers
- describes city of Delhi. its 28 gates esp Budaun darwaza as the greatest
other places visited by Ibn Battuta?
also visited Calicut, Bengal, Assam, Maldives and Ceylon on his way to China as an ambassador to Mongul court from the Sultan. also gives account of Vijaynagara empire
Nicolo Conti?
- venetian traveller
- 1420 AD- during rule of Devraya I of Sangam dynasty of Vijaynagara empir
- refers to the prevalence of slavery and Sati
william Finch?
came with William hawkins in 1608 at surat
gave the earliest english language account of Kashmir, as well as trade routes connecting PJ and eastern Turkistan and western China
visited Ayodhya bet 1608 and 1611 and did not find any building of importance of Islamic origin. He is cited in SC’s Ayodhya verdict
refers Ram chandra as Ranichand, mentions Ramkot or fort of rama
sir Thomas Roe?
- visited India during the reign of Jahangir in 1615.
- He came to seek protection for an English factory at Surat.
- His “Journal of the Mission to the Mughal Empire” is a treasured contribution to the history of India.
Francois Bernier?
- 1656 AD
- He was a French physician and traveller.
- He visited India during the reign of Shah Jahan.
- He was physician to Prince Dara Shikoh and later was attached to Danishmand Khan, an Armenian noble at the court of Aurangzeb
- ‘Travels in the Mughal Empire’ was written by Francois Bernier. compared INdia and europe. found situation in India bleak
- Mughals owned all land and distributed among nobles
- no pvt property unlike Europe- disastrous consequences coz sons won’t inherit and so won’t develop
- NO middle class, only rich and poor; this was not true as 15% of pop lived in towns, higher than in Europe
- talks of Karkhanas (only detailed record of Karkhanas) and sati system
- says that vast quantities of world’s precious metal flowed into India, as manufacturers were exported in exchange for gold and silver; notes existence of a prosperous merchnat community engaged in long distance exchange
Giovanni Careri?
Italian traveller
passed through India c. 1690
provides a graphic account about the way silver travelled across the globe to reach India. It also gives us an idea of the phenomenal amounts of cash and commodity transactions in seventeenth-century India.
Joseph Tieffenthaler?
- 1710-1785 AD
- was a Italian missionary
- book: Description Historique et Geographique De l’Inde
- commissioned at famous observatory of Sawai Jai singh, Raja of Jaipur and later at the Jesuit college in Agra that built with the patronage of Akbar
- said to have lived in Awadh, where Ayodhya is located
- cited by SC in Ayodhya judgement: ““Emperor Aurengzeb got the fortress called Ramcot demolished and got a Muslim temple, with triple domes, constructed at the same place. Others say that it was constructed by ‘Babor’. “