ÓLAFSSON, Jón (Jan), called Bøsseskytte and Indíafari. “Svarthamri í Álftafirði við Ísafjarðardjúp” in Vestfirðir (Westfjords) 1593 (or 29.8.1596) — 2.5.1679. Icelandic Traveller in India, in the service of the Danish East India Company in Trankebar. Son of Ólafur Jónsson and Ólöf Þorsteinsdóttir, father died when he was 7. In 1615…
NIEUHOFF, Johan. Uelsen, Grafschaft Bentheim (Germany) 22.7.1618 — Madagascar 8.10.1672. Dutch Traveller in India in the middle of the 17th century. Son of the mayor of Uelsen, van Nijhoff and Egberta Picardt. In 1640-49 in Brazil during the Dutch attempt to establish a colony there, then in the service of…
MUNDY, Peter. Before 1609 — after 1667. British Trader and Traveller. From Penryn in Cornwall, son of a pilchard trader. In 1609-10 in France. In 1611 he became a cabin boy in a merchantman, gradually arose to higher positions. Visited Constantinople (1617) and Spain (1621 & 1625). Three times in…
MONSERRATE, Antonio de (Antoni de Montserrat). Vic, Barcelona 1536? — Salsette 26.10.1605. Father. S.J. Spanish (Catalan) Missionary in India. Joined S.J. 1556, studied at Coimbra, then served in Lisbon and left for India in 1574. Together with Rodolpho Aquaviva and Francisco Enriques he travelled in 1569 to Surat and to…
MILDENHALL (Midnall), John. Little Bedwell, Wiltshire 1560 (?) — Ajmer June 1614. British Traveller in India, self-styled envoy of the E.I.C. to Mughal Court in 1603. Son of Sir John M. Being a London merchant, he travelled on his own account, without any official position, although he often pretended the…
MARTIN, François. Paris 1634 — Pondichéry 31.12.1706. French Traveller in India. Illegitimate son of a wealthy spice merchant, after his death had to work as shop assistant. In 1663 joined the French E.I.C., served first in Madagascar, from 1668 in India, soon in charge of the factory in Masulipatan. In…
MARSHALL, John. 16?? — 1677. British Traveller in India. Studies at Cambridge (M.A. Christ’s College). Employed by E.I.C. in India from 1668, apparently died there. Served in Bengal and under Job Charnock in Patna. Made a great number of notes on Indian customs, religion, etc., which were published only in the…
MANUCCI (MANNUCCI, MANUZZI), Niccolo. Venice 19.4.1638 — Madras 1717. Italian Traveller in India. Son of Pasqualino M. and Rosa Bellini. He run away from his Venetian home in the age of 14 in 1653, became servant to Viscount Bellemont and travelled via Smyrna, Isfahan, Gombron and by ship to Surat…
MANRIQUE, Sebastião (Sebastien). Porto 1590? — London 1669. Portuguese Augustinian monk and Missionary in India. Came early to Goa. Arriving in ship from Goa in 1612 he started with three other missionaries the catholic mission in Bengal. During 13 years in India he saw and described many little known places. From…
MANDELSLO, Johann Albrecht von (Johan Albert von M.). Schönberg, Mecklenburg 15.5.1616 — Paris 16.5.1644. German Traveller in India. Son of Hermann Clamor von Mandelslo (1573–1648), an administrator, and Anna Pflug. Started 1636 his travels together with his friend Adam Olearius (1599–1671) in Holstenian embassy to Persia, on his own he…