Among the following travellers who visited India as a 'diplomat' during the medieval period?

Abdur Razzaq

The correct answer is Option (3) → Abdur Razzaq

One of the most important descriptions of the city of Vijayanagara  in the fifteenth century comes from Abdur Razzaq Samarqandi, a diplomat who came visiting from Herat.

Abdur Razzaq Samarqandi explored south India during the 1440s.

The travelogue of Abdur Razzaq written in the 1440s is an interesting mixture of emotions and perceptions. On the one hand, he did not appreciate what he saw in the port of Calicut (present-day Kozhikode) in Kerala, which was populated by “a people the likes of whom I had never imagined”, describing them as “a strange nation”.

Here's a brief explanation of the other travelers mentioned:

Al-Biruni: Al-Biruni was a Persian scholar who visited India in the 11th century. His major work, "Kitab al-Hind," provides valuable insights into Indian culture, science, and geography during that period.

Ibn Battuta: Ibn Battuta who came from Morocco. He wrote the travelogue "Rihla," which documented his extensive travels across the Islamic world, including India and other parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Francois Bernier: Francois Bernier was a French physician and traveler who visited India during the 17 th century. He provided a detailed account of the working of the imperial Karkhanas or workshops. He also described Mughal cities as "camp towns", by which he meant towns that owed their existence, and depended for their survival on the imperial camp.

So, the correct option is [3].