Megasthenes
Explanation
The establishment of the Mauryan Empire involved conflicts and subsequent diplomatic alliances with the Hellenistic kingdoms established by Alexander's successors. This question addresses the diplomatic exchange between the Seleucid Empire and the Mauryan court.Option Analysis:
- Fa Xian Fa Xian: Incorrect. Fa Xian was a Chinese Buddhist monk who visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II (Gupta Dynasty) in the early 5th century CE to procure Buddhist texts.
- Megasthenes: Correct. Megasthenes was the Greek ambassador sent by Seleucus Nicator to the court of Chandragupta Maurya following a peace treaty. He lived in the Mauryan capital, Pataliputra, and recorded his observations on Mauryan administration, society, and economy in his work, Indica.
- Xuan Zang Xuan Zang: Incorrect. Xuan Zang (Hiuen Tsang) was a Chinese traveler and scholar who visited India during the reign of Harshavardhana in the 7th century CE.
- Al-Biruni Al-Biruni: Incorrect. Al-Biruni was a Persian scholar who accompanied Mahmud of Ghazni to India in the 11th century CE. He is known for his work Kitab-ul-Hind (Tahqiq-i-Hind).
Key Takeaway: Megasthenes served as the Seleucid ambassador to Chandragupta Maurya and authored the Indica, which serves as a vital source for understanding Mauryan history.