Question

UPSC Prelims 2018 Question:

Which one of the following foreign travellers elaborately discussed about diamonds and diamond mines of India?

1. Francois Bernier
2. Jean-Baptiste Tavernier
3. Jean de Thevenot
4. Abbe Barthelemy Carre

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2: Jean-Baptiste Tavernier

Detailed Solution

Explanation:

Jean-Baptiste Tavernier (1605-1689) was a French explorer and merchant. He was the first European to describe the diamond mines in India.
- In 1676, Tavernier published an account of his six journeys to India and Persia from 1631 to 1668 in Les Six Voyages de Jean-Baptiste Tavernier.
- Though Tavernier provided a wealth of information about his travels and work, he did not record the details of his important transactions. It is likely that he did not want to reveal the source and the price of gems that he purchased since that information could negatively affect his business.

Therefore, option (2) is the correct answer.

Subject: History | Miscellaneous(hist)

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