Indian History and World History (Part-24)

Important Travellers to India – Country-wise List

• Megasthenes – Greece (Greek Ambassador of Seleucus I)

  • Came to the court of Chandragupta Maurya

  • Wrote “Indica” – earliest Western account of India

• Fa-Hien (Faxian) – China

  • Visited during Gupta Empire (Chandragupta II) in 5th century CE

  • Focused on Buddhist sites and monasteries

• Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) – China

  • Came during the reign of Harshavardhana (7th century)

  • Wrote “Si-Yu-Ki” – detailed account of Indian society, religion, education

• Al-Biruni – Persia (Iran)

  • Came with Mahmud of Ghazni (11th century)

  • Wrote “Tahqiq-i-Hind” – scientific and cultural study of India

• Marco Polo – Italy (Venice)

  • Visited during the rule of Kakatiya dynasty (13th century)

  • Described South Indian life and trade

• Ibn Battuta – Morocco

  • Came during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq (14th century Delhi Sultanate)

  • Appointed Qazi (judge) of Delhi

  • Wrote “Rihla” (Travels)

• Niccolò de' Conti – Italy

  • Visited during Vijayanagar Empire (15th century)

  • Described Indian cities and trade

• Abdur Razzaq – Persia

  • Visited Vijayanagar court of Deva Raya II (15th century)

  • Gave vivid accounts of Hampi

• Duarte Barbosa – Portugal

  • Travelled in early 16th century

  • Described Indian coast, especially Kerala

• Francisco de Almeida & Vasco da Gama – Portugal

  • Vasco da Gama arrived in 1498 at Calicut – first European sea route to India

During this period, he remained in China for 17 years. 'Travels of Marco Polo' is classic travel literature written by Marco Polo.

The founder of the Ahom dynasty was Sukhapaa who came from Mong Mao. Mong Mao was a small medieval state located on present-day Myanmar-China border.

The rule of the dynasty ended during the Burmese invasion of Assam in 1826.

Key Features of Ahom Rule

• Capital: Initially at Charaideo, later moved to Garhgaon and then Rangpur

• Known for their efficient administration and land revenue system

• Built a powerful army and maintained local militia (Paiks) for defense and labor

• Introduced wet-rice cultivation and advanced irrigation

• Encouraged Hinduism but also preserved Tai-Ahom traditions and language

Saka – The Rajput Ritual of Final Battle

• Saka was a ritual last stand performed by Rajput warriors when defeat was certain in battle.

• It was preceded by Jauhar, a ritual mass self-immolation by the women to avoid capture and dishonor.

• After Jauhar, the male warriors donned saffron robes, applied ashes to their foreheads, and charged into battle to fight to the death.

• It was considered an act of honor, bravery, and sacrifice.

• Famous Examples of Saka:

  1. First Saka of Chittorgarh (1303) – During Alauddin Khilji’s siege, led by Rani Padmini

  2. Second Saka of Chittorgarh (1535) – During Bahadur Shah of Gujarat’s attack

  3. Third Saka of Chittorgarh (1568) – During Akbar’s siege, led by Rani Karnavati

He founded Jaipur city and made it his capital.

The central towering dome and the tall gateway (pishtaq) became important aspects of Mughal architecture, first visible in Humayun's tomb

The city, was originally known as Khadki. After the fall of the Nizam Shahi dynasty in 1633, the city came under the Mughal rule. It was later renamed Aurangabad after it became the headquarters of Aurangzeb during his viceroyalty over the Deccan.