Question

Who was the Chinese traveller that visited Kerala during the medieval period?
A) Hiuen Tsang
B) Megasthenes
C) Ma Huan
D) Ibn Battuta

Answer 1

Hint: Kerala, India's tropical Malabar Coast state, boasts over six hundred kilometres of the Arabian Sea coastline. It's noted for its palm-lined beaches and a network of canals known as the backwaters. Inland, the Western Ghats are a range of mountains with tea, coffee, and spice plantations, as well as wildlife, on their slopes.

Complete answer:
Kerala's internal and external trade flourished during the medieval period. Previously, trade was conducted by exchanging products for goods. Later on, things were exchanged for cash. During the Middle Ages, maritime trade advanced tremendously. Demand for exporting items has risen.

Ma Huan, a Chinese traveller, who happened to be in Kerala at the time, said: "As a ship carrying goods from China arrives at the port, Shabendar Koya and a broker board the ship and list the goods. A suitable day is chosen to fix the prices of goods, with silk clothes being given priority. Once the prices are fixed, they swear that the prices of goods will not be changed under any circumstances."

He visited Champa, Sumatra, Java, Palembang, Siam, Kochi, and Hormuz during the 4th trip in 1413. He visited Malacca, Sumatra, Aru, Trincomalee, Ceylon, Kochi, Calicut, Zufar, and Hormuz on his 1421 journey. He visited Bengal, Sonargaon, Chittagong, Gaur, and Calicut on his 1431 trip. Eunuch Hong Bao dispatched him to Mecca as an ambassador from Calicut.

Therefore the correct answer is option ‘C’.

Note: Ma Huan collected notes on the geography, politics, weather conditions, ecology, economy, local customs, and even the manner of criminal punishment during his trips. After returning home from his first journey, he began writing a book about it, with the first draught completed in 1416. Ying Shenglan was the title of his book.