Ancient Travelers: 1. Megasthenes (4th century BCE, Greece) – Ambassador of Seleucus I to Chandragupta Maurya; wrote Indica, describing Mauryan administration and society. 2. Fa-Hien (5th century CE, China) – Buddhist monk who traveled to India during Chandragupta II’s reign; documented Indian society and Buddhism in A Record of Buddhist Kingdoms. 3. Xuanzang (7th century CE, China) – Visited India during Harsha’s rule; wrote Great Tang Records on the Western Regions, detailing Indian culture and Buddhist practices. 4. Al-Masudi (10th century, Arab) – Arab historian and traveler; described India, Sri Lanka, and the Islamic world in Muruj adh-Dhahab. Medieval Travelers: 5. Al-Biruni (11th century, Persia) – Visited India with Mahmud of Ghazni; wrote Tarikh al-Hind, a comprehensive study of Indian culture, religion, and science. 6. Marco Polo (13th century, Venice) – Traveled to China; described Kublai Khan’s court and trade routes in The Travels of Marco Polo. 7. Ibn Battuta (14th century, Morocco) – Traveled across Africa, the Middle East, India (Delhi Sultanate), and China; wrote Rihla (The Travels). 8. Niccolò de’ Conti (15th century, Italy) – Visited India and Southeast Asia; provided insights into Vijayanagara Empire and local customs. 9. Abdur Razzaq (15th century, Persia) – Persian envoy to Vijayanagara; wrote about its grandeur and administration. 10. Duarte Barbosa (16th century, Portugal) – Documented the coastal trade of India and the Portuguese presence. 11. Jean-Baptiste Tavernier (17th century, France) – French jeweler who visited Mughal India; described trade and the Mughal court under Shah Jahan.