The following persons came to India at one time or another:

1. Fa-Hien
2. I-Tsing
3. Megasthenes
4. Hieun-Tsang

The correct chronological sequence of their visits is:

1. III, I, II, IV
2. III, I, IV, II
3. I, III, II, IV
4. I, III, IV, II

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador to the Mauryan court, visited India in the late 4th/early 3rd century BCE, making him the earliest among the four travellers listed. Fa Xian visited India during the Chandragupta II’s reign for around nine years, probably 400-410 CE. The main purpose of his visit was to see the Buddha’s land and collect Buddhist manuscripts from India. Chinese pilgrim Xuan Zang (Hiuen Tsang) travelled across India from 630 to 645 CE in search of Buddhist manuscripts and teachings. Hiuen Tsang was the royal guest of Harsha. He spent a lot of time at Harsha’s court and left a detailed account of what he saw. I-tsing visited India between 673 and 695 AD, just 28 years after Xuanzang left India.

Answer: (b) III, I, IV, II