Bernier's travel account reached a wide readership in Europe. How did the accounts written in Arabic and Persian mostly circulate before 1800?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → As manuscripts, which were generally not published
Option (1) As printed editions issued by presses at royal courts — Incorrect. Printing and wide circulation describe Bernier's own works, published in France and translated soon after. The Arabic and Persian accounts were not printed in this period.
Option (2) As manuscripts, which were generally not published — Correct. The accounts in Arabic and Persian circulated as manuscripts, copied by hand. They were generally not published before 1800, in marked contrast to Bernier's printed account.
Option (3) As oral narrations recited by poets at royal courts — Incorrect. These accounts were written texts. They passed from reader to reader as hand-copied manuscripts.
Option (4) As official letters sent to provincial governors — Incorrect. These accounts were travel writings meant for general readers. They spread as hand-copied manuscripts.
NCERT (2026-27): “3.1 Comparing “East” and “West” … |