The correct option is Spain
Explanation
During the reign of Emperor Akbar, the Mughal court hosted three distinct Jesuit missions from Goa to discuss theology and religion. These missions are significant sources of Mughal history due to the detailed accounts left by the missionaries.
Detailed
- Antonio Monserrate (1536-1600) was a Spanish Jesuit missionary (born in Catalonia, Spain).
- He was selected to accompany Father Rodolfo Acquaviva (an Italian) and Father Francisco Henriques (a Persian convert) on the First Jesuit Mission to Akbar’s court.
- The mission arrived at Fatehpur Sikri in 1580 at the invitation of Akbar.
- Although the mission was dispatched by the Portuguese authorities in Goa (and the Jesuits operated under the Portuguese Padroado), Monserrate’s personal nationality was Spanish.
- He is historically renowned for his work Mongolicae Legationis Commentarius (Commentary on the Embassy to the Mughal Court), which provides a primary eyewitness account of Akbar’s personality, the court, and the Mughal military campaigns (including the Kabul expedition).
Key Takeaway: Antonio Monserrate was a Spanish Jesuit priest who visited Akbar's court in 1580 as part of the first Jesuit mission and authored a significant commentary on the Mughal Empire.