List of Foreign Travellers in Medieval India- Al Beruni, Ibn Batuta

India is known as the world’s spiritual leader. In ancient times, India’s educational system was superior to all other countries. Perhaps this is why so many international visitors come to India to learn about the Indian educational system. We have included information on foreign travelers who arrived in India during the Medieval Period on this page. The Indian Subcontinent is home to some of the world’s oldest civilizations. In ancient times, the Indian civilization drew many travelers and academics. We have compiled a List of Foreign Travellers in Medieval India, which would be extremely useful for candidates studying for various competitive tests.

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List of Foreign Travellers in Medieval India

1. Al Beruni from Persia (1024-1030 A.D.)

Al Beruni was an Islamic philosopher “appointed” by Mahmud of Ghazni to compose Kitab fi tahqiq ma li’l-hind, a vast commentary on Indian philosophy and culture. “His insights on Indian realities, institutions of knowledge, social conventions, religion… are possibly the most penetrating made by any traveler to India,” historians say today. This tourist, born in Uzbekistan, spent thirteen years in India studying its culture and literature.

2. Ibn Batuta from Morocco (1333-1347 A.D.)

Incredibly, someone could have traveled that far in a period when there was no such thing as travel gear. Meet Ibn Battuta, a man with a desire for travel that was unrivaled in history and unrivaled by any human. It’s hard to think that Ibn Battuta traveled over 75,000 miles (121,000 kilometers), a distance unmatched by any other explorer until the Steam Age arrived 450 years later. He was the only medieval traveler reported to have visited the domains of all of his time’s Muslim rulers. In the West, he traveled to North Africa, Southern Europe, West Africa, and Eastern Europe; in the East, he traveled to the Middle East, South Asia, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and China, covering three times the distance of his near-contemporary Marco Polo.

3. Marco Polo from Italy (1288-1292 AD)

Marco Polo, the Venetian traveler, is possibly the most famous traveler. In 1288 and 1292, he is reported to have gone South India twice, seeing a tomb of St. Thomas “in a certain small-town” that he does not name. Many historians believe that these dates and travels are accurate and that the little hamlet he mentions is Mylapore.

4. Abdur Razzak from Persia (1443-1444 A.D.)

Abdul Razzak, a Persian explorer who visited Vijaynagar in 1440, is one of the first references of the Vijaynagar empire in India. His descriptions of the Hampi markets, their architecture, and their magnificence have left a large body of history for future historians to investigate. Abdur Razzak was the Shahrukh of the Timurid Dynasty’s diplomat.

5. Nicolo Conti from Italy (1420-1421 A.D.)

Nicolo De Conti’ was a Venetian adventurer and writer who traveled to Ely on the west coast of India and then interior to Vijayanagar, the seat of the Deccan’s main Hindu state. Conti offers a detailed account of this city, which is one of the most intriguing parts of his story. He went to Maliapur near Madras, existing Chennai, from Vijayanagar and the Tungabudhra.

6. Afanasy Nikitin from Russia (1442-1443 AD)

Nikitin, a Russian trader, spent more than two years in India, visiting several places, getting to know the locals, and meticulously recording all he observed. The merchant’s notes were collected in the form of a “Journey,” which would be more akin to a traveler’s log. The nature and political organization of India, including its traditions, lifestyle, and customs, were properly represented in this text.

7. Thomas Roe from England (1615 A.D. – 1619 A.D)

Sir Thomas Roe was a diplomat from England. In 1615, he traveled to India under the reign of Jahangir. He traveled to Surat to seek security for an English enterprise. His “Journal of the Mission to the Mughal Empire” is a priceless addition to India’s history.

8. Domingo Paes from Portugal (1520-1522 A.D.)

Following the capture of Goa in 1510 and its ascension to the capital of the Portuguese Estado da India, numerous Portuguese traders and tourists visited Vijayanagara and published comprehensive accounts of Bisnaga’s splendor. The most significant is Domingos Paes’, which was composed between 1520 and 1522. Paes’ account, written during Krishnadeva’s reign and based mostly on close observation, explains in full the so-called feudal Malankara system of Vijayanagara’s military structure as well as the yearly royal Durga celebration.

9. Fernao Nunes from Portugal (1535-1537 A.D.)

Around 1536-37, a Portuguese horse-trader named Fernao Nuniz wrote his description of India. During the reign of Achyutaraya, he was at Vijaynagara’s capital, and he may have been there for Krishnadevaraya’s earlier fights. This visitor was extremely interested in Vijayanagara’s history, specifically the city’s founding, the following careers of three ruler dynasties, and the conflicts they waged against the Deccan sultans and Orissan Rayas. His descriptions also provide insight into the Mahanavami celebration, where he admires the lavish jewels worn by the courtly women and the hundreds of women serving the monarch.

10. Francois Bernier from France(1656 A.D. – 1668A.D.)

He was a physician and wanderer from France. From 1656 to 1668, he lived in India. During Shah Jahan’s reign, he traveled to India. He worked as a physician for Prince Dara Shikoh and eventually joined Aurangzeb’s court. The book mostly discusses Dara Shikoh and Aurangzeb’s regulations.

Conclusion

The above list of Foreign Travellers in Medieval India is very important for many competitive examinations to be held in India. So aspirants need to remember it wisely. I hope that this writing has given you enough information. On the Oliveboard website, you may find more articles like this.

FAQ’s

Which foreign traveler was titled “Prince of Medieval Travellers”?

Marco Polo (1254-1324), an Italian traveler, is known as the Prince of Medieval Travellers. He was a tourist in Europe. In the book “The Book of Ser Marco Polo”, the Venetian, has written all of his journey experiences in India, as well as insights about India’s geography and economic history.

Why did some Europeans travel to India during the Middle Ages?

India is known as the world’s spiritual leader. In ancient times, India’s educational system was superior to that of all other countries. Perhaps this is why so many international visitors come to India to learn about the Indian educational system.

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