Consider the remark about Mughal India: “So much is wrung from the peasants, that even dry bread is scarcely left to fill their stomachs.” Which European traveller made this observation about the condition of peasantry under the Mughal Empire?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests knowledge of European travellers who visited Mughal India and wrote detailed accounts of its society and economy. Their observations are important historical sources for understanding the condition of peasants, revenue demands and administrative practices. The quotation in the question describes extreme exploitation of peasants, and you must identify which traveller recorded it.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The quote highlights that peasants were taxed so heavily that barely any food was left for them.
• Four European travellers are listed: Francisco Pelsaert, Francois Bernier, Jean Baptiste Tavernier and Niccolao Manucci.
• All of them wrote about India in the Mughal period, but their emphasis and style differed.

Concept / Approach:
Francisco Pelsaert, a Dutch factor of the East India Company, is known for his detailed report on the conditions in the Mughal Empire, including harsh revenue practices and the misery of peasants. The given quotation is widely attributed to him. Bernier also criticized Mughal agrarian relations, but the specific line in the question is typically linked to Pelsaert. Tavernier focused more on trade and diamonds, while Manucci wrote a colourful memoir of his experiences at court and in wars. The correct approach is to recall that Pelsaert is the one most clearly associated with this striking description of peasant suffering.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognize that the quote emphasises extreme extraction of revenue from peasants. Step 2: Recall that Francisco Pelsaert wrote a report specifically describing exploitation and misery in rural Mughal India. Step 3: Remember that Francois Bernier talked about the absence of private property and the jagirdari system but this exact line is linked to Pelsaert. Step 4: Note that Tavernier and Manucci are less associated with detailed peasant misery narratives. Step 5: Select Francisco Pelsaert as the author of the quoted remark.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, you can recall that exam oriented history books almost always mention this exact quotation in connection with Pelsaert. The context is his discussion of heavy land revenue demands and the resulting poverty of peasants. Bernier criticised the system too but in more theoretical terms, focusing on land rights. Tavernier concentrated on commerce and luxury goods, while Manucci narrated political events and court life. This cross referencing confirms that the quoted line is Pelsaert's observation.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Francois Bernier: Although he discussed agrarian systems critically, the specific line quoted here is not his and he focused more on the system of assignments and absence of private property.
Jean Baptiste Tavernier: He was mainly a merchant and traveller whose writings emphasised trade, jewels and routes rather than peasant exploitation in such dramatic terms.
Niccolao Manucci: His Storia do Mogor is rich in anecdotes about courts and wars but does not contain this famous statement about peasants.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often confuse Pelsaert and Bernier because both criticised Mughal agrarian conditions. A common mistake is to automatically pick Bernier for any negative comment about Mughal land systems. The best way to avoid this confusion is to memorise that the quote about peasants having barely dry bread left is specifically tied to Francisco Pelsaert, while Bernier is more associated with theoretical critiques of land tenure and the jagirdari system.

Final Answer:
The quotation was made by the Dutch traveller Francisco Pelsaert.