Indian history
Many foreign travelers visited India from time to time and wrote about the life and people of country in their accounts. Their accounts constitute a primary source for the study of Indian history. Some of the foreign travelers who visited India are mentioned below: -
1) Megasthanes: Megasthanes was a Greek ambassador in the court of Chandragupta Maurya. He wrote a book called Indica. It describes the social and administrative conditions under Mauryas.
2) Fahien: Fahien was a Chinese pilgrim who visited during the reign of Chandragupta II. His account deals with the conditions under ChandraguptaII.
3) Hiuen Tsang: Hiuen Tsang was a Chinese pilgrim. He visited India during the reign of Harshavardhana.
4) Albiruni: Albiruni was a Persian. He accompanied Mahmud of Ghazni to India and wrote a book called Tarikh –ul-Hind. He was a Sanskrit scholar.
5) Marco polo: Marco polo was Venetian traveler. He visited the Kakatiya kingdom during the reign of Rudramadevi and paid rich tributes to her administration.
6) Nicolo Conte: Nicolo Conte was an Italian traveler. He visited India during the reign of Devaraya II, king of Vijayanagar.
7) Abdul Razzak: Abdul Razzak was Persian ambassador. He visited the court of Devaraya II of Vijayanagar Empire.
8) Damingo Paes: Damingo Paes was Portuguese traveler. He visited the court of Srikrishna Devaraya, the greatest king of the Vijayanagar Empire.
9) Al Masudi: Al Masudi was an Arab writer. He visited India in the 9th century A.D. during the reign of Mihira Bhoja of Kanauj. His account gives information about a history of north India in the 9th century A.D.
10) Athanatian Nikiten: Athanatian Nikiten was a Russian merchant. He visited the Deccan (south India) in 1470 A.D. and narrated the condition prevailing in the Bahamani kingdoms.