Mughal & Travellers — Set 5

Correct Answer: A. Marco Polo

• **Marco Polo** = This Venetian traveler visited South India in the late 13th century and extensively wrote about the Pandyan Kingdom. • **Late 13th century** — He described the Pandyan kingdom as the richest in the world at that time and detailed the region's pearl trade. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Nicolo Conti]: An Italian merchant, he visited Vijayanagara in the early 15th century, later than Marco Polo; [Manucci]: An Italian traveler and writer, he was in India during Aurangzeb's reign (17th century), much later; [Vasco da Gama]: A Portuguese explorer, he reached India by sea route in the late 15th century, focused on trade routes rather than extensive travel accounts of the interior.

Correct Answer: B. Minhaj-us-Siraj

• **Minhaj-us-Siraj** = He wrote 'Tabaqat-i-Nasiri', a general history of the Islamic world and India, covering events up to 1260. • **1260** — This work is a primary source for the history of the Ghorid conquests and the early Delhi Sultanate, dedicated to Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Barani]: He wrote 'Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi', which covers a later period of the Delhi Sultanate (14th century); [Amir Khusrau]: A poet and scholar, he was a contemporary of Barani, not Minhaj-us-Siraj, and wrote different historical works; [Firishta]: A historian, he wrote 'Tarikh-i-Firishta', a general history of India much later in the 17th century.

Correct Answer: B. Abdur Razzaq

• **Abdur Razzaq** = This Persian traveler visited the court of the Zamorin of Calicut and provided vivid descriptions of the Vijayanagara Empire. • **1440s** — As an ambassador of the Timurid ruler Shah Rukh, he highly praised the city of Vijayanagara and its extensive trade, noting its prosperity. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Ibn Battuta]: A Moroccan traveler, he visited India in the 14th century, earlier than Abdur Razzaq; [Al-Biruni]: A Persian scholar, he visited India in the 11th century, much earlier; [Nikitin]: A Russian merchant, he visited South India (Bahmani kingdom) in the late 15th century, a different contemporary.

Correct Answer: B. Amir Khusrau

• **Amir Khusrau** = Known as the 'Parrot of India', he wrote 'Khazain-ul-Futuh', which describes the military conquests of Alauddin Khalji. • **Alauddin Khalji** — This poetic work records his significant victories in both North and South India, showcasing Khusrau's literary skill and historical insights. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Ziauddin Barani]: He wrote 'Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi', a general history of the Delhi Sultanate, not specifically focused on Khalji's conquests in a poetic manner; [Isami]: He wrote 'Futuh-us-Salatin', a poetic history of Muslim rule in India, but 'Khazain-ul-Futuh' is distinct; [Ibn Battuta]: A Moroccan traveler, he wrote 'Rihla', his travelogue, not 'Khazain-ul-Futuh'.

Correct Answer: A. Francois Bernier

• **Francois Bernier** = This French physician wrote 'Travels in the Mughal Empire', detailing his observations during his stay in India. • **12 years** — He stayed in India for this duration, serving as a doctor at Aurangzeb's court and keenly observing the socio-economic conditions and military organization of the Mughals. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Tavernier]: A French gem merchant, he also traveled in India and wrote 'Travels in India', but 'Travels in the Mughal Empire' is Bernier's distinct work; [Thevenot]: A French traveler who visited India in the 17th century, he wrote 'Relation of India', a different account; [Dupleix]: A French governor-general in India during the 18th century, he was a colonial administrator, not a traveler-writer of the Mughal era.

Correct Answer: B. Amir Khusrau

• **Amir Khusrau** = He authored 'Tughlaqnama' to celebrate Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq's victory over Khusrau Khan. • **Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq** — The poem details his rise to power and his victory, making it an important historical mathnavi. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Barani]: Wrote 'Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi', a history of the Delhi Sultanate; [Afif]: Also wrote 'Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi', focusing on Firoz Shah Tughlaq; [Yahya Sirhindi]: Authored 'Tarikh-i-Mubarak Shahi', covering the Sayyid dynasty.

Correct Answer: B. Nicolo Conti

• **Nicolo Conti** = This Italian traveler visited India in the 15th century and provided a detailed account of the social customs of the South. • **15th century** — During this period, he traveled through the Vijayanagara Empire and recorded details about currency, Sati, and festivals. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Marco Polo]: Visited India in the late 13th century, earlier than Conti; [Manucci]: An Italian traveler who visited India in the 17th century, associated with the Mughal court; [Pietro Della Valle]: An Italian traveler who visited India in the 17th century.

Correct Answer: B. Isami

• **Isami** = He wrote 'Futuh-us-Salatin', often called the 'Shahnameh of India', detailing the history of Muslim rulers. • **14th century** — This historical poem was written in the 14th century under the patronage of the first Bahmani Sultan. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Amir Khusrau]: Wrote several historical works like 'Khazain-ul-Futuh' and 'Tughlaqnama'; [Barani]: Authored 'Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi', a history of the Delhi Sultanate; [Firishta]: Wrote 'Gulshan-i-Ibrahimi' or 'Tarikh-i-Firishta', a comprehensive history of India.

Correct Answer: A. Ralph Fitch

• **Ralph Fitch** = This English traveler visited the court of Akbar and was the first to describe the city of Fatehpur Sikri. • **16th century** — His travels in the late **16th century** to India and Southeast Asia provided early English accounts, encouraging future trade. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Sir Thomas Roe]: An English diplomat who served as ambassador to Jahangir's court in the early 17th century; [William Hawkins]: An English merchant who visited Jahangir's court in the early 17th century; [Thomas Coryat]: An English traveler who visited India during Jahangir's reign in the early 17th century.

Correct Answer: A. Abbas Khan Sarwani

• **Abbas Khan Sarwani** = He wrote 'Tarikh-i-Sher Shahi', a detailed biography of the Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri. • **Emperor Akbar** — The work was commissioned by **Emperor Akbar** and is considered a primary and reliable source for Sher Shah's administrative and military achievements. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Abul Fazl]: Wrote 'Akbarnama' and 'Ain-i-Akbari', focused on Akbar's reign; [Badauni]: Authored 'Muntakhab-ut-Tawarikh', a critical history of the Mughal period; [Nizamuddin Ahmad]: Wrote 'Tabaqat-i-Akbari', a general history of India up to Akbar's reign.