What do the accounts of Arab and European travellers reveal about the nature of social and economic life in medieval India?

Traveller Accounts & social life

1. Alberuni (Kitab-ul-Hind) → talks about 'Uluq Dawa' (Ancient Transport)

2. Marco Polo's records of kakatiya Queen Rudramadevi has insights into patriarchy, yet women resilience.

3. Nuniz's records of Vijaynagar empire → women: as Bodyguards, professionals, bankers, etc.

4. Abdur Razak Samarkandi visited Deva Raya II and mentions about importance of Elephants.

5. Ibn Batuta's (Rihla) talks about multi-Racial & multi-Ethnic society of India.

6. Cesare Fedrichi (Italy) has great insights about the evolving temple Art of India (esp. transition of vijaynagar Empire to Amar nayak Era and Gopuram Culture)

7. Bernier talks about the mughal life and Architecture of Indo-Islamic style (and nobility-Royalty dynamics)

Traveller Accounts & Economic life

1. marco Polo : Rich accounts of (venice) maritime trade of Peninsular India with Rome.

2. Nicolo-de-conti : talks about Rich market dynamics flourishing under Krishna Deva Raya

2.1 → State led Infra development

2.2 → Temples acts as guilds, etc.

2.3 → Bronze Architecture (madurai)

1. Tavernier : talks intricately about flourishing diamond trade under mughals.

2. Sir Thomas Roe : talks about mughal kings like Jahangir and peak of the trade in miniature paintings.