Which one of the following foreign travellers elaborately discussed about diamonds and diamond mines of India? (UPSC Prelims 2018)

Question

The correct answer is [B] Jean-Baptiste Tavernier. A 17th-century French gem merchant and traveler, Tavernier is best known for his detailed accounts of the mineral wealth of India.

Jean-Baptiste Tavernier (Statement B – Correct): Between 1630 and 1668, Tavernier made six voyages to the East. In his book, Les Six Voyages de Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, he provided the first structural and technical descriptions of the diamond mines of Golconda and Kollur. He famously discussed the quality, mining methods, and trade of diamonds, including his purchase of the \"Great Blue Diamond\" (later known as the Hope Diamond).
Francois Bernier (Statement A – Incorrect): A French physician who lived in India for 12 years, Bernier is famous for his work Travels in the Mughal Empire. While he discussed the socio-political conditions, the \"mockery\" of private property, and the Mughal court, he did not focus specifically on diamond mining.
Jean de Thevenot (Statement C – Incorrect): Another French traveler who visited India in the 1660s, Thevenot wrote about the geography, customs, and ports of Gujarat and the Deccan, but his accounts lack the specialized geological and commercial focus on diamonds found in Tavernier\'s work.
Abbe Barthelemy Carre (Statement D – Incorrect): A French priest and agent of the French East India Company, Carre wrote about the expansion of French trade and the political climate of the 1670s, rather than the diamond industry.

Historically, India was the world’s only source of diamonds until they were discovered in Brazil in the 1720s. Tavernier’s accounts served as the primary source of knowledge for Europeans regarding the origin of legendary stones like the Koh-i-Noor and the Daria-i-Noor.

GKToday Admin · Accepted Answer

Jean-Baptiste Tavernier The correct answer is [B] Jean-Baptiste Tavernier. A 17th-century French gem merchant and traveler, Tavernier is best known for his detailed accounts of the mineral wealth of India.

Jean-Baptiste Tavernier (Statement B – Correct): Between 1630 and 1668, Tavernier made six voyages to the East. In his book, Les Six Voyages de Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, he provided the first structural and technical descriptions of the diamond mines of Golconda and Kollur. He famously discussed the quality, mining methods, and trade of diamonds, including his purchase of the \"Great Blue Diamond\" (later known as the Hope Diamond).
Francois Bernier (Statement A – Incorrect): A French physician who lived in India for 12 years, Bernier is famous for his work Travels in the Mughal Empire. While he discussed the socio-political conditions, the \"mockery\" of private property, and the Mughal court, he did not focus specifically on diamond mining.
Jean de Thevenot (Statement C – Incorrect): Another French traveler who visited India in the 1660s, Thevenot wrote about the geography, customs, and ports of Gujarat and the Deccan, but his accounts lack the specialized geological and commercial focus on diamonds found in Tavernier\'s work.
Abbe Barthelemy Carre (Statement D – Incorrect): A French priest and agent of the French East India Company, Carre wrote about the expansion of French trade and the political climate of the 1670s, rather than the diamond industry.

Historically, India was the world’s only source of diamonds until they were discovered in Brazil in the 1720s. Tavernier’s accounts served as the primary source of knowledge for Europeans regarding the origin of legendary stones like the Koh-i-Noor and the Daria-i-Noor.

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