Francois Bernier: Visit to India, Accounts of Mughal Empire - UPSC Notes

Francois Bernier, a French physician and traveller, contributed much to our knowledge about 17th-century India through his own vivid observations and writings. Memoirs are regarded as very important sources of information about the Mughal Empire and its social life, governing, and cultural system. All the accounts of the Mughal administrative system, socio-economic condition, and all the other descriptions were so vivid that Bernier stood out amongst all the travelers of that time.

This topic falls under the General Studies Paper I (History of the World, including events from the 18th century) of the UPSC Examination. The accounts of historical figures such as Francois Bernier help in understanding the nuances of pre-modern Indian history, society, and its relations with European travelers. It is important for both Prelims and Mains, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of India's historical context.

Download the Daily Current Affairs PDF for UPSC Preparation!

Who Was Francois Bernier?

Francois Bernier was born in 1620 in Joué-Etiau, France. He was an educated and world traveler scientist, physician, and writer. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Montpellier. He was a great explorer who was eager to explore and learn, and his trip to the East, especially to India, formed an important episode in his life and career.

Bernier became important because of his acquaintance with important people and the critical observations about the places he toured. His observations were far from being just an eyewitness traveler; they were analytical and detailed, enlightening about the structures and systems operating in those places. His book, "Travels in the Mughal Empire," is one of the finest accounts of the Mughal period and gives an insight into the socio-economic and political conditions of India from the view of a European.

Read the article on India Under the Mughals!

Francois Bernier’s Visit to India

Francois Bernier reached India in 1656 and stayed there till 1668. He made every note of whatever he observed concerning the Mughal Empire. His visit occurred during the rule of Emperor Aurangzeb, one of the most controversy-ridden and debated rulers in the Mughal dynasty. Bernier being a physician got the opportunity to visit the court of the royalty and get direct knowledge about how the empire works.

Francois Bernier’s Accounts of the Mughal Empire

Bernier's accounts elaborate on the description of the administration of the Mughal State, the social hierarchy of the court, and the daily routine of its population.

• He found the Mughal court extravagantly rich but was shocked when he compared them to the extreme poverty of people in rural regions.
• His observations reveal the Mughal State as a contradictory entity where greatness existed almost hand in hand with destitute conditions.
• Bernier observed that the administrative machinery of the Mughal was inept. He believes that it was because of such a defect that the economy had stagnated and societal unrest prevailed in his time.
• He criticized the revenue administration and the jagirdari system as deficient in giving private property rights, hence agricultural and economic development not possible.
• His comments on the administration are particularly telling in terms of their depth as they predate the criticisms historians and economists leveled against similar features much later in time.
• He has also left behind vivid accounts of the socio-cultural texture of India: the diversity of people, religions, and customs.
• His writings touched upon caste system issues, the situation of the peasants, and women to outline a rich view of the Indians in 17th-century times.

Read the article on Mughal Architecture in India!

Download the Key Takeaways PDF for Francois Bernier!

Testbook is one of the fastest-growing e-learning platforms for competitive exam preparations. Download the Testbook App now!