Foreign Writers on Ancient India

Numerous travelers from different parts of the world visited India as pilgrims, traders, settlers, soldiers, and ambassadors. These travelers documented their experiences and observations, providing valuable insights into Indian history, culture, and trade. 

• When analyzed critically, these foreign accounts reveal significant details about ancient India. Below is an exploration of notable accounts by Greek, Chinese, and Arab writers.

Foreign Writers on India and Greek Accounts of the Mauryan Empire

• Sandrokottas and Chandragupta Maurya:

• • • Greek writers mention Sandrokottas, identified in the 18th century by William Jones as Chandragupta Maurya, forming the basis of the Mauryan chronology.
    • A Greek ambassador named Megasthenes visited the court of Chandragupta Maurya and wrote Indika. Although the original text of Indika is lost, its fragments preserved by later Greek authors provide crucial insights into the administration, social structure, and economy of the Mauryan period.

• Trade and Geography:

• • Greek and Roman texts offer significant information about India’s early oceanic trade.
  • The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea (80–115 CE) and Ptolemy’s Geography (150 CE) describe ancient trade routes and geographical details.
  • Early Greek and Latin authors like Strabo, Arrian, and Pliny the Elder also document India’s flourishing oceanic trade networks.

Chinese Accounts of India

• Fa-Hsien (5th Century CE):

• • • Fa-Hsien, a Buddhist monk, visited India during the Gupta period (399–414 CE) to study Buddhism and visit Buddhist shrines.
    • His writings provide a detailed account of the social, religious, and economic conditions during the Gupta era.
    • Fa-Hsien’s travels were mainly confined to Northern India, offering a vivid portrayal of life during that time.

• Hsuan Tsang (7th Century CE):

• • Hsuan Tsang, another Buddhist monk, traveled extensively in India during the reign of King Harshavardhana (639 CE onward).
  • His writings describe India’s religious practices, society, and economy in great detail.
  • He is particularly noted for his description of Nalanda University, highlighting its prominence as a center of learning in Bihar.

Arab Accounts of India 

• Al-Biruni (11th Century CE):

• • Al-Biruni, a scholar from the Khwarezm region (modern-day Turkmenistan), visited India to study its culture, people, and texts in their original language.
  • His book Tahqiq-i-Hind is an encyclopedic work covering Indian scripts, sciences, geography, astrology, astronomy, philosophy, literature, customs, religions, festivals, and laws.
  • Al-Biruni’s observations provide a comprehensive understanding of Indian society during the 11th century. He was also the first to identify the initial year of the Gupta Era.

• Arabian Trade Accounts of India: 

• Arab writers highlight the strong trade relations between India and the Arab world.
• Sulaiman’s accounts mention India’s involvement in oceanic trade, further emphasizing the country’s economic prominence in maritime commerce.