ROLE OF THE FOREIGN TRAVELLERS IN THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE HISTORY OF INDIA

Reconstruction of Indian history of the ancient and medieval era is a daunting task owing to lack of chronological records, and subjectivity in the interpretation of archaeological and literary sources. In this context, accounts of foreign travellers, who were eyewitnesses to the events that occurred at that time, become an important source to corroborate other sources of history.

Chinese Accounts

1. Main Chinese Travelers: Fa-Hien, Hsuan Tsang, and I-tsing are valuable sources for information on the Gupta period and post-Gupta rule.
2. Social Conditions: Fa-Hien’s account highlights untouchability in society, mentioning the Chandalas (untouchables) as early as the 5th century AD.
3. Education System: Hsuan Tsang visited famous Indian universities, especially Nalanda University, and described the educational system prevalent in India.
4. Economic Situation: Fa-Hien wrote about Gupta economic prosperity, noting that people paid less tax and didn’t face law and order problems.
5. Political Conditions: Hsuan Tsang’s observations during Harsha’s reign (7th century AD) mention the decline of Pataliputra and the rise of Prayag and Kannauj.
6. Status of Buddhism: Hsuan Tsang and I-tsing provided detailed accounts of Buddhism in India, including doctrines, rituals, and monastic institutions, especially at Nalanda.

Arab Accounts

1. Arab Travelers: Merchants like Sulayman and Abu Zaid shared valuable information about Indian culture, science, and society, useful for understanding early medieval India.
2. Gender Roles: Abu Zaid noted that Indian women were not veiled, indicating the absence of the purdah system in upper-class women in medieval India.
3. Socio-economic Conditions: Arab accounts discuss trade contacts and the wealth derived from trade, particularly between the Arab world and India.
4. Personal Contacts: Travelers like Al-Biruni and Ibn Battuta had direct interactions with Indians, providing detailed first-hand information on the activities and culture of people.
5. Bias in Accounts: Though influenced by their personal biases, these travelers provide critical missing links in reconstructing Indian history.
6. Information on Vijayanagara: Abdur Razak visited the Vijayanagara Kingdom during the reign of Devaraya II and documented its trade, richness, and the city of Hampi.

Comparison of Indian Culture by Arab and European Travelers

1. Similar Features: India as Wonderland: European travelers like Marco Polo and Barbosa noted fantastic stories about India, such as pirates using jewels from merchants’ stomachs and the remarkable sugar trade in Bengal.
2. Diverse Social Customs: Bernier talks about a 3-day feast with rice dishes, shaving beards as part of funeral ceremonies. Al-Biruni discusses Indian philosophy, religion, and religious tolerance. Both European and Arabian travelers mention caste discrimination, the lower status of women, and customs like slavery and Sati.
3. Hospitality: Travelers often traveled with the army provided by the king. They note that hospitality was an important part of Indian culture.
4. Trade: Both European and Arabian travelers discuss India’s close trade connections with West Asia, Central Asia, Africa, and Europe, exchanging silk, spices, and cotton.
5. Poverty: Both travelers highlighted poverty in India, which surprised many, as they did not expect to see it.

Different Features

• Diversified Purpose:
  • European Travelers: Focused on trade, particularly diamonds, as mentioned by Tavernier, who noted that even the children of diamond merchants were conscious of wealth.
  • Arab Travelers: Focused more on cultural curiosity, as demonstrated by Abdur Razzaq’s account of racism and traditions in Vijayanagara.
• Circumstantial and Intellectual Voyages:
  • Arab Travelers: Often came to India for travel and external observations of Indian culture.
  • European Travelers: Came with specific purposes, leading to deeper intellectual insight.
• Cuisines: Ibn Battuta was fascinated by Indian cuisine like Paan and Coconut but there is little recorded about European impressions of food.
• Government Systems: Europeans described the Mughal government as tyrannical, while Arab accounts mention a more benevolent system.
• Entertainment: Ibn Battuta mentions the Musical Bazaar in Daulatabad with singing and other forms of entertainment. European travelers did not leave detailed accounts of Indian entertainment.

Comparison of Nalanda and Taxila Universities