Question

Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?

• A. \( \text{Antonio Monserrate : Italy} \)
• B. \( \text{Duarte Barbosa : France} \)
• C. \( \text{Jean-Baptiste Tavernier : Portugal} \)
• D. \( \text{Peter Mundy : England} \)

Hint:

Tavernier = French (Jewels). Bernier = French (Physician). Peter Mundy = English. Barbosa = Portuguese.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Concept:

• Foreign travellers from Europe visited India between the 15th and 17th centuries, leaving behind detailed accounts of the Mughal Empire.
• Identifying their origins is essential for understanding the context and perspective of their writings.

Step 1: Analyze the origins of the Jesuit and Portuguese travellers
Antonio Monserrate was a Spanish Jesuit priest who visited the court of Akbar; thus, matching him with Italy (A) is incorrect.
Duarte Barbosa was a Portuguese writer and officer who travelled in the early 16th century; matching him with France (B) is incorrect.

Step 2: Analyze the French and English travellers
Jean-Baptiste Tavernier was a famous French gem merchant and traveller who visited India six times during the 17th century; matching him with Portugal (C) is incorrect.

Step 3: Verify the correct pair
Peter Mundy was an English merchant and traveller who worked for the East India Company.
His journals provide detailed accounts of life in Northern India during the reign of Shahjahan. Pair (D) is correctly matched.