Most Important Foreign Travellers to India: Top 10 Quick Facts for Last Minute Revision During the medieval period, India witnessed the arrival of many foreign travellers who recorded their observations. Their accounts serve as valuable historical sources today. Marco Polo from Italy visited between 1288–1292 AD during the Pandya Kingdom. Ibn Battuta from Morocco stayed between 1333–1342 AD under Mohammad Bin Tughlaq. Nicolo Conti from Italy visited from 1420–1422 AD during the reign of Dev Raya I of Vijayanagar. Tsang Hi from China visited 1421–1431 AD, witnessing the rule of Jalaluddin of Bengal. Abdur Razzak, ambassador from Iran, came in 1442–1443 AD during Dev Raya II's reign. Athnasius Nikitin from Russia visited between 1470–1474 AD during Mohammad III Bahmani's rule. Bartholomew Diaz, an Italian sailor, travelled across the Deccan around 1503–1508 AD. Eduardo Barbosa from Portugal arrived between 1516–1518 AD during Krishna Deva Raya's rule. Domingo Paes, another Portuguese, stayed between 1520–1522 AD at Vijayanagar. Nuniz, a Portuguese merchant, visited during 1535–1537 AD under Achyut Deva Raya. Anthony Monserrate, a Portuguese priest, was present during Akbar's reign (1578–1582 AD). Ralph Fitch, the first English traveller, visited between 1585–1591 AD under Akbar. Other travellers like Ceaser Fredriseh, John Linschoten, Captain Hawkins, William Finch, Sir Thomas Roe, and many more, documented important observations under Mughal emperors like Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb. [caption id="attachment_26052" align="aligncenter" width="200"] foreign travellers[/caption] Their travelogues enriched our understanding of India’s politics, society, and economy. Important Terms Used During Sultanate Period Several administrative and taxation terms were prominent during the Delhi Sultanate: Kharaj: Land tax on Hindu landlords. Khalisa: Lands directly under crown control. Iqtas: Land grants awarded to officials. Ghari: House tax. Gharai: Grazing tax on cattle. Zakat: Alms tax levied on Muslims. Ghanima: War booty, four-fifths belonged to soldiers. Muqta: Land grant holders. Khams: One-fifth share of war spoils. Waqf: Land dedicated for religious purposes. Sondhar: Loans introduced by Muhammad bin Tughlaq. These terms reflect the complex taxation and land management system under the Delhi Sultans. Important Terminologies During Gupta Empire The Gupta period had well-defined administrative terms: Amatya: Bureaucratic officials. Mahadandanayak: Head of justice and military. Khita: Barren land. Bali: Religious tax. Udranga: Tax from permanent peasants. Bhaga: One-sixth share of produce given as tax. Sarvadhyaksha: Head of Central Secretariat. Mahasandhivigrahika: In-charge of foreign affairs and peace treaties. Gupta administration was highly structured and efficient, reflecting their golden age governance. Taxes During Mauryan Empire The Mauryan Empire had an elaborate taxation system: Praveshya: Import duty. Niskashya: Export tax. Setu: Tax for irrigation services. Khani: Tax from mining operations. Bhisti: Forced labour. Durga: Revenue from urban centers. These taxes ensured state control over various economic activities during Mauryan rule. Commissions and Their Respective Ministries Several constitutional and statutory commissions function under different ministries: Central Information Commission: Under Ministry of Personnel. Finance Commission: Under Ministry of Finance. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC): Ministry of Personnel. Inter-State Council: Ministry of Home Affairs. Staff Selection Commission (SSC): Ministry of Personnel. National Commission for SCs: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. National Commission for STs: Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Central Vigilance Commission: Ministry of Personnel. Election Commission of India: Ministry of Law and Justice. Lokpal: Ministry of Personnel. National Human Rights Commission: Ministry of Home Affairs. Each commission plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth functioning of democracy and governance. Important Indian National Congress Sessions (1919–1947) The Indian National Congress held many crucial sessions, shaping India's freedom struggle: 1920 Special Session (Calcutta): Lala Lajpat Rai presided; Non-Cooperation Movement launched. 1920 Nagpur Session: C. Vijayaraghavachariar; reconstitution of Congress committees on linguistic basis. 1922 Gaya Session: C.R. Das; formation of Swaraj Party. 1924 Belgaum Session: Mahatma Gandhi presided; the only session he headed. 1925 Kanpur Session: Sarojini Naidu became the first Indian woman President. 1928 Calcutta Session: Motilal Nehru; All India Youth Congress established. 1929 Lahore Session: Jawaharlal Nehru declared Poorna Swaraj (complete independence); 26 January marked as Independence Day. 1931 Karachi Session: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel; resolutions on Fundamental Rights and Economic Policy. 1936 Lucknow Session: Push towards socialist ideas under Jawaharlal Nehru. 1938 Haripura Session: Subhash Chandra Bose presided; National Planning Committee formed. 1939 Tripuri Session: Subhash Bose resigned; Rajendra Prasad took over. 1946 Meerut Session: J.B. Kripalani presided; the last session before India's Independence. These sessions were pivotal in uniting the masses and demanding independence from British rule.
