(Part-01)
As civilization developed travel for pleasure became part of society. Great explorers returned with their new ideas about the world. Travel for pleasure can be associated with the Roman empire. Romans are famous as first pleasure travellers. Travelling is an ancient phenomenon. Throughout the history of the world merchants, explorers have travelled to different places around the world. History and Travelling both are interlinked with each other. World maps prepared by Greeks, Romans and the Arabs gave an acceleration to travel. Travelling was more insecure at that time. Because sometimes they/travellers were attacked by robbers, and many travellers were severely wounded.
We are going to discuss the world great travellers one by one.
as follows:
- Megasthenes
- Deimachos
- Fa-Hien
- Huien Tsang
- Al-Biruni
- Ibn Battuta
- Francois Bernier
- Marco Polo
- Nicolo Conti
- Sir Thomas Roe
- Captain William Hawkins
- Al-Masudi
- Abdul Razak
Megasthenes 302 B.C. – 298 B.C.(4th century B.C)
1. Megasthenes was
an ancient Historian (Greek), diplomat and Indian ethnographer. He was born in
Asia Minor (Turkey). He became an ambassador of Seleucus 1 Nicator to and
visited India during the period of Chandragupta Maurya (Pataliputra). Seleucus sent
him to India after the treaty with Chandragupta Maurya. There was no such proof
or evidence which parts of India he visited.
He
wrote the book “Indica”. This book is an important reference about ancient
India. Other ancient writers, like Arrian, Diodorus, Strabo had mentioned about
Megasthenes.
2.Deimachos
: Period:
(320-273 BC) Greek Ambassador
Was a
Greek historian. He visited India during the reign of Bindusara
(Amitragatha), Son of Chandragupta Maurya) in Pataliputra. He was sent by
Antiochus 1 Soter.
“Both
of them were mentioned by Strabo, as “ Both of these men were sent (as)
ambassadors to Palimbothra (Pataliputra).” But, presently his works are lost.
3.Fa-Hien 405 A.D. – 411 A.D
Fa-Hien: He is known for his visit to Lumbini (birthplace of Gautam Buddha, present day Nepal). His voyage is described in his travelogue “Record of Buddhist Kingdoms”. He wrote about cities, like Taxila, Mathura, Pataliputra, Kannauj etc.
He was
a Chinese Buddhist Monk. He had been living in Ch’ang-gan. Fa-Hien entered India
from the northwest and he reached Pataliputra. He declared Pataliputra as a
very rich city. He visited India during
the period of King Vikramaditya (Chandragupta II).
Huien Tsang: 630 A.D. – 645 A.D.
Huien
Tsang: He was born in Chen Hui in the year 602 in
China. Tsang Was a Chinese Buddhist monk. And He was a traveller,
scholar and a translator. He visited India during the period of Harsha
Vardhana.
‘The Records of the Western World’ also known as Si-yu-ki was written by Huien Tsang.
Al-Biruni:
Al-Biruni: He was born in the year 973. (Khwarizm, present-day Uzbekistan).Also knows as Biruni.He studied Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, Islam etc. He was well educated and knows different languages, like Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, Syriac and Sanskrit.
Al- Biruni
divided Hindus into two categories, such as: educated and uneducated. Educated
(monotheistic -believing that God is one and eternal), on the other hand, uneducated
Hindus believed in the Anthropomorphic concepts of God.
Ibn Battuta
Ibn Battuta: He was a scholar from Morocco. He was famous for his travelling. His writings can be used as a window into ancient history. Over a period of thirty years, he visited Central Asia, Southeast Asia, China and India.
He wrote
a book ‘Rihla’ /book of travel history or guide (travel in search of knowledge).
In 1333, he reached Sind. And he had heard about Muhammad bin Tughlaq, sultan
of Delhi. Sultan was impressed by his scholarship and appointed him as a Qazi
or judge.
Ancient travellers of India to be continued.
Fact
check :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deimachus
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megasthenes
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