Which foreign traveller visited Mughal India during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan?

Introduction / Context:
Foreign travellers provide valuable firsthand accounts of the Mughal empire and its rulers. Different travellers visited India during the reigns of Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb, and their names are frequently matched with the correct emperor in exam questions. This question focuses on Shah Jahan's period, which is famous for architectural achievements like the Taj Mahal.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks which traveller visited India during the reign of Shah Jahan.
• The options include Sir Thomas Roe, William Hawkins, Ibn Battuta, Niccolao Manucci and François Bernier.
• Each of these travellers is linked to a specific time and ruler.

Concept / Approach:
Sir Thomas Roe and William Hawkins were English travellers and envoys who visited during the reign of Jahangir. Ibn Battuta, a Moroccan traveller, came much earlier, under Muhammad bin Tughlaq. Niccolao Manucci, a Venetian traveller and adventurer, came to India in the mid seventeenth century and lived through the reigns of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. François Bernier also visited during the later Mughal period, but Manucci is especially associated with court life starting under Shah Jahan.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Checking standard tables of foreign travellers, we find that Thomas Roe and Hawkins are firmly placed in Jahangir's period, Ibn Battuta in the Tughlaq era, and Manucci and Bernier in the time of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. Since the question asks specifically about Shah Jahan, Manucci fits best because his arrival and early experiences relate directly to this emperor's reign.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Sir Thomas Roe: English ambassador to Jahangir, not to Shah Jahan.
• William Hawkins: Also associated with Jahangir's court as an English representative.
• Ibn Battuta: Visited India in the fourteenth century under the Delhi Sultanate, long before the Mughals.
• François Bernier: A French traveller who wrote about the later Mughal empire, but the question highlights Manucci as the more direct association with Shah Jahan's period.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may confuse travellers of the later Mughal period, especially Manucci and Bernier. Some exam keys, depending on wording, may emphasise either name. However, in this question set, Manucci is the best fit. A helpful strategy is to maintain a simple table matching rulers and major travellers to avoid such confusion.

Final Answer:
Correct answer: Niccolao Manucci.