Who among the following is the author of the book of travels called 'Travels in the Mughal Empire' ?
Who among the following is the author of the book of travels called 'Travels in the Mughal Empire' ?
Options
The correct option is (A) Francois Bernier.
Why:
- Francois Bernier, a French physician and philosopher, travelled in Mughal India (c. 1656-1668) and authored 'Travels in the Mughal Empire'.
- He wrote in a comparative style, constantly contrasting India with contemporary Europe.
Marking Scheme
- 11 mark for selecting option (A) Francois Bernier.
- 2The title 'Travels in the Mughal Empire' uniquely identifies Bernier's account.
Hint
A French doctor at the Mughal court who compared India constantly with Europe.
Quick Oral Answer
Francois Bernier, a French physician who lived at the Mughal court in the mid-17th century, wrote 'Travels in the Mughal Empire', comparing India with Europe.
Analysis & Explanation
This question tests the author-text matching within Theme 5.
Concept:
- Bernier was associated with the Mughal court, at one time linked to Prince Dara Shukoh and the noble Danishmand Khan.
- His work influenced European ideas about India, especially the mistaken notion that there was 'no private property in land'.
Why (A) is correct:
- 'Travels in the Mughal Empire' is expressly Bernier's account of Mughal India.
Why the distractors are wrong:
- (B) Roberto Nobili — an Italian Jesuit missionary in South India, not the author of this work.
- (C) Duarte Barbosa — a Portuguese writer who described the Vijayanagara/South Indian coast, not the Mughal empire book.
- (D) Marco Polo — a 13th-century Venetian traveller to China and the Indian coast, well before the Mughals.
Common Mistakes
- 1Confusing Bernier with Duarte Barbosa, who wrote about South India and Vijayanagara rather than the Mughal empire.
- 2Choosing Marco Polo — he predates the Mughals by centuries and never wrote 'Travels in the Mughal Empire'.
Interesting Facts
Bernier dedicated his writings to King Louis XIV of France and aimed his comparisons at a European audience.
His flawed claim that Mughal India lacked private property in land later shaped European theories about 'Oriental despotism'.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What was Francois Bernier's profession?
He was a French physician and philosopher who spent about twelve years in Mughal India and was connected with the Mughal court.
What controversial idea did Bernier spread about Mughal India?
He claimed there was no private property in land under the Mughals, an inaccurate view that later fed European notions of Oriental despotism.