Q.Name the Italian traveller who provided a graphic account of cash and silver transactions in the seventeenth-century India.

Concept and Intuition

This question tests your knowledge of medieval Indian history, specifically the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1325–1351). The Sultan was known for his unconventional policies and his patronage of scholars, artists, and foreign intellectuals. Among the many travellers who visited his court, one stands out for having been given a formal judicial appointment — not just a temporary audience or gift, but an actual administrative post.

The key here is to recall which foreign traveller spent enough time in Delhi and earned enough trust to be made a qazi. A qazi was a Muslim judge who interpreted Islamic law (Sharia) and settled disputes. This was a position of real authority, not a ceremonial title. The traveller in question wrote a famous travelogue, the Rihla, which gives us detailed accounts of his experiences in India.

Step-by-Step Reasoning

1. Identify the traveller who stayed long in Delhi under Tughlaq.

   Several foreign travellers visited India during the Delhi Sultanate period — Marco Polo (though he never reached Delhi), Ibn Battuta, Nicolo Conti, Abdur Razzaq, etc. Among them, only Ibn Battuta lived in Delhi for several years (from 1334 to 1342) and held an official position.

2. Recall Ibn Battuta’s appointment.

   Ibn Battuta was a Moroccan scholar from Tangier. He arrived in India during Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s reign. The Sultan was impressed by his learning and appointed him as the qazi of Delhi. Ibn Battuta himself describes this in his travelogue — he was given a salary, a house, and judicial duties.

3. Confirm the duration and nature of the role.

   Ibn Battuta served as qazi for about eight years. He also later served as the Sultan’s ambassador to China. His account provides vivid details of Delhi’s society, the Sultan’s court, and the challenges of being a judge in a foreign land.

4. Eliminate other travellers. …

Foreign travellers' accounts are invaluable primary sources for understanding the history of India, particularly during the medieval and early modern periods. These individuals, often merchants, diplomats, or adventurers, observed Indian society, economy, and administration from an external perspective. Their writings offer unique insights into aspects like trade, currency, social customs, and political structures, which might not be as comprehensively documented in indigenous records. For economic history, their observations on currency systems, market practices, and the flow of precious metals are especially significant.

Here is how we identify the correct traveller:

1. Deconstruct the question: We are looking for an Italian traveller who visited India in the 17th century and wrote about cash and silver transactions.
2. Recall prominent European travellers to 17th-century India: Many European travellers visited India during the Mughal era. Some notable ones include Jean-Baptiste Tavernier (French), François Bernier (French), and Niccolao Manucci (Italian).
3. Filter by nationality: The question specifically asks for an Italian traveller. This narrows our focus significantly, making Niccolao Manucci a prime candidate.
4. Examine the nature of their accounts: …