🧭 Q. Fa-Hien (Faxian), the Chinese pilgrim, travelled to India during the reign of —
(a) Samudragupta
(b) Chandragupta II ✅
(c) Kumaragupta I
(d) Skandagupta
✅ Correct Answer: (b) Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya)
🕊️ Key Facts of Fa-Hien for UPSC CSE
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Fa-Hien (Faxian) |
| Origin | China (Eastern Jin Dynasty) |
| Period of Visit | Around 399–414 CE |
| Ruler during visit | Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) of the Gupta Empire |
| Purpose of Visit | To collect Buddhist scriptures and study monastic life in India |
| Route | Land route via Central Asia → entered India through North-West Frontier (present-day Afghanistan) |
| Places Visited | Kapilavastu, Sravasti, Kushinagar, Vaishali, Pataliputra, Kashi, and Tamralipti (from where he sailed back) |
| Book Written | “Fo-Kuo-Ki” (Record of Buddhist Kingdoms) |
| Religion Studied | Buddhism (especially Hinayana and Mahayana practices) |
| Language of Record | Chinese |
| Exit Route | From Tamralipti (Bengal) to Ceylon (Sri Lanka), then to China by sea |
| Importance | His accounts provide first-hand information on Gupta administration, society, religion, and the peaceful prosperity of India. |
🕉️ Gupta Age (Chandragupta II’s Reign) – Context
- Chandragupta II ruled c. 375–415 CE, and his reign marked the zenith of Gupta glory.
- Adopted the title “Vikramaditya” meaning Sun of Valour.
- His empire extended from Bengal in the east to Gujarat and Kathiawar in the west.
- Ujjain served as his second capital and a major cultural hub.
- Nine Gems (Navaratnas) — including Kalidasa, Amarasimha, and Varahamihira — adorned his court.
- Trade flourished with Roman and Southeast Asian contacts.
- Fa-Hien’s visit during this time highlights the empire’s prosperity, stability, and moral order.
Also See: Raja Ram Mohan Roy: UPSC CSE Prelims PYQ 2025 Solved
✍️ Insights from Fa-Hien’s Account
| Aspect | Observation |
|---|---|
| Administration | Well-organized and efficient; people were law-abiding. |
| Society | Peaceful, prosperous; severe punishments were rare. |
| Religion | Buddhism and Hinduism coexisted harmoniously. |
| Buddhist Monasteries | Well-maintained and supported by the state and people. |
| Criminal Law | Rare use of capital punishment. |
| Trade and Travel | Free movement; trade routes safe. |
| People’s Life | Happy, simple, content, and prosperous. |
🏺 Fa-Hien’s Legacy
- First Chinese pilgrim to visit India and record detailed observations.
- His work “Fo-Kuo-Ki” provides invaluable evidence of the Gupta era’s socio-economic and religious life.
- He admired the moral order and simplicity of Indian life and criticized the lack of cleanliness in some monastic practices.
Also See: Non Cooperation Programme: UPSC Prelims 2025 PYQ Solved
🌏 Other Important Foreign Travellers to India (Chronological Order) for UPSC CSE
| Traveller | Century | Country of Origin | Came During the Reign of | Purpose / Observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Megasthenes | 4th Century BCE | Greece | Chandragupta Maurya | Wrote Indica describing Pataliputra and Mauryan administration. |
| Fa-Hien (Faxian) | 5th Century CE | China | Chandragupta II | Came for Buddhist scriptures; wrote Fo-Kuo-Ki. |
| Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) | 7th Century CE | China | Harsha Vardhana | Wrote Si-Yu-Ki; described Nalanda University and Indian polity. |
| Yijing (I-Tsing) | 7th Century CE | China | After Harsha | Studied at Nalanda; wrote about Buddhist monastic education. |
| Al-Masudi | 10th Century CE | Arabia | Rashtrakuta period | Described prosperity and political condition of India. |
| Al-Biruni | 11th Century CE | Persia (Iran) | Mahmud of Ghazni | Wrote Tahqiq-i-Hind (An Enquiry into India); studied Hindu philosophy and sciences. |
| Marco Polo | 13th Century CE | Venice (Italy) | Pandya Kingdom | Described South India, pearl fisheries, and trade; wrote The Book of Sir Marco Polo. |
| Ibn Battuta | 14th Century CE | Morocco | Muhammad bin Tughlaq | Appointed Qazi (judge) of Delhi; wrote Rihla (Travels). |
| Nicolo Conti | 15th Century CE | Italy | Vijayanagar (Devaraya I) | Described Telugu as “Italian of the East”. |
| Abdur Razzak | 15th Century CE | Persia | Vijayanagar (Devaraya II) | Persian envoy of Shah Rukh; described Vijayanagar’s magnificence. |
| Duarte Barbosa | 16th Century CE | Portugal | Early Vijayanagar | Described social and economic life of India; wrote Book of Duarte Barbosa. |
| Domingo Paes | 16th Century CE | Portugal | Krishnadeva Raya (Vijayanagar) | Described capital Hampi and prosperity of empire. |
| Niccolao Manucci | 17th Century CE | Italy | Aurangzeb | Wrote Storia do Mogor detailing Mughal court life. |
| Peter Mundy | 17th Century CE | England | Shah Jahan | English traveller; observed Mughal wealth and industries. |
| Francois Bernier | 17th Century CE | France | Aurangzeb | French doctor; compared Mughal system with Europe. |
| Jean-Baptiste Tavernier | 17th Century CE | France | Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb | Described diamond trade and Mughal jewels (Koh-i-Noor). |
| Manucci and Bernier | 17th Century CE | Italy and France | Aurangzeb | Offered European perspectives on Mughal governance. |
💡 Key Short Notes of Foreign Travellers for UPSC CSE(for Quick Revision)
- Abdur Razzak (15th Century)
- From: Persia, sent by Shah Rukh (Timurid ruler)
- Visited: Court of Devaraya II of Vijayanagar Empire
- Observation: Noted 300 harbors, 1,100,000 warriors, and a well-fortified city with flourishing markets.
- Ibn Battuta (14th Century)
- From: Morocco
- Appointed as: Qazi (judge) of Delhi by Muhammad bin Tughlaq
- Work: Rihla (The Travels)
- Nicolo Conti (15th Century)
- From: Italy
- Described: Telugu language as the “Italian of the East.”
Also See: Araghatta, the Irrigation Device: UPSC Prelims 2025 PYQ Solved
- Peter Mundy (17th Century)
- Nationality: English (not Italian; correcting common confusion)
- Visited during: Shah Jahan’s reign
- Observation: Described Mughal prosperity, industries, and trade.
- Marco Polo (13th Century)
- From: Venice (Italy)
- Work: The Book of Sir Marco Polo
- Observed: Indian coastal trade, Andaman tribes, and South Indian society.
- Francois Bernier (17th Century)
- From: France
- Profession: Doctor, philosopher, historian
- Visited during: Aurangzeb’s reign
- Purpose: To explore opportunities and study Mughal polity
- Work: Travels in the Mughal Empire (1656–1668)
Also See: Economics Prelims PYQs
🧩 UPSC Practice Questions
Q1. Fa-Hien visited India during the reign of which Gupta ruler?
(a) Samudragupta
(b) Chandragupta II ✅
(c) Kumaragupta I
(d) Skandagupta
Q2. Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?
| Traveller | Period | Ruler |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Xuanzang | 7th Century CE | Harsha Vardhana |
| 2. Al-Biruni | 11th Century CE | Mahmud of Ghazni |
| 3. Ibn Battuta | 14th Century CE | Firoz Shah Tughlaq |
Options:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only ✅
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and
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