The Sultanate of Delhi, 711–1526 A.D. c30.s2: Travels
The Sultanate of Delhi, 711–1526 A.D. c30.s2
- Language
- English
Travels
c30.s2.1
**1. Al-Beruni.** The great Turkish savant, Al-Beruni may be regarded as one of the earliest travellers to India. As has been related, he came from Khwarizm and stayed in our country for some time. His famous work, popularly known as *Al-Beruni's India*, has been translated into English by Sachau (Trubner's Oriental Series). (See No. 6 of the Chronicles)
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**2. Ibn Battuta.** He was primarily a traveller who reached Sindh in 1333 and stayed in our country for eight years. He recorded the result of his observations in his well-known *Rahlab*, an account of which has already been given (*vide* No. 13 of the Chronicles). One translation into English is by Lee and the other is by Gibbs.
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**3. Travels of Marco Polo.** (Edited by Yule) This world-famous traveller visited southern India in the 13th century and left an account of his impressions in his travel book. Although he does not give many details, yet the work is useful for our period.
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**4. Abdur Razzaq.** Razzaq was a Persian who came as an envoy to the court of the king of Vijayanagar where he stayed from 1442 to 1443. He has left a good account of the conditions—political, administrative, economic and cultural—of Vijayanagar. No history of that state can be complete without making use of the description left by Abdur Razzaq.
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**5. Nicolo Conti.** Conti was an Indian traveller who visited our country in 1520. His account of our country, its manners and customs and the condition of the people is as that of Abdur Razzaq.
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**6. Domingos Paes.** Paes was a Portuguese traveller who visited southern India like the above two travellers. He has left a detailed description of Vijayanagar. His description is full of matter of fact things and is valuable.
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**7. Edoardo Barbosa.** Barbosa visited India in 1516 and his description of Vijayanagar in particular, and southern India in general, is important.
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Besides the above, there are some literary works which throw considerable light on the condition of the country during the period. The most important among them are Amir Khusrav's, such as, *Qiran-us-Sadain* and others and *Munsha-i-Mahru* of Ain-ul-Mulk Multani.