Option b is the correct answer Abu Rayhan al-Biruni visited India in 1017: Abu Rayhan al-Biruni (973 - after 1050) was a Khwarazmian scholar during the Islamic Golden Age. A polymath versed in physics, mathematics, and history, he explored various issues, influenced by Greek and other scholars. He visited India in 1017 during the Ghaznavid rule and "The History of India." His impartial observations on Indian culture earned him the title al-Ustadh ("The Master"). Ibn Battuta visited India in 1334: Ibn Battuta (1304-1368/1369) was a Berber scholar and traveler. His account, "The Rihla," detailed his remarkable journeys spanning 117,000 km, surpassing explorers like Zheng He and Marco Polo. Ibn Battuta arrived in the Indian subcontinent in 1334 during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq. He stayed in India for years, observing customs and culture. He reached Maldives, where he served as a judge and got involved in power struggles. He visited Sri Lanka, Madurai Sultanate, and Sylhet, noting diverse experiences in India. Jean-Baptiste Tavernier visited India in 1630: Jean-Baptiste Tavernier (1605-1689) was a 17thcentury French gem merchant and traveler. Across six voyages from 1630 to 1668 , he covered 60,000 leagues to Persia and India. Jean-Baptiste Tavernier visited India during his second journey (1638-1643) in 1630 under the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan. He traveled to Agra, visited the Mughal court, and explored the diamond mines. He later embarked on subsequent voyages to India, reaching places like Golconda, Masulipatam, Surat, and Ahmedabad. In 1666, he acquired the Tavernier Blue diamond, selling it to Louis XIV of France. Niccolao Manucci visited India in 1653. Niccolao Manucci (1638-1717), a Venetian writer, physician, and traveler, provided firsthand Mughal Empire accounts. A vital source for Indian history, he detailed events and customs, offering valuable insights into the era. He arrived in India in 1653, during the reign of Shah Jahan, and he remained in the country until his death in 1695. Important Tips Other Important Travellers: Abdul Razak: During the reign of Deva Raya II of the Vijayanagara Empire, Persian scholar and ambassador Abdul Razak visited India. His visit, occurring between 1443 and 1444 AD, fostered cultural and diplomatic exchanges between Persia and India. Duarte Barbosa: In the early 16th century, specifically from 1500 to 1516 AD, Portuguese traveler Duarte Barbosa documented his observations of the Vijayanagara Empire. His writings provide invaluable insights into the society and governance of this significant South Indian realm. William Hawkins: Representing James I of England, Wilh Hawkins visited India from 1608 to 1619 AD during Emperor Jahanth - 2008. As an ambassador to the Mughal Court, Hawkins' interactions illuminate the diplomatic relations and cultural exchanges between England and the Mughal Empire. Thomas Roe: English diplomat Thomas Roe embarked on his journey to India from 1615 to 1619 AD, a period that coincided with Jahangir's reign. His mission was to secure protection for the English trading factory in Surat. His comprehensive account, 'Journal of the Mission to the Mogul Empire,' offers invaluable historical insights into early 17th-century India, encompassing diplomatic efforts, cultural interactions, and the socio-political landscape of that era.