According to the French traveller Tavemier, the majority of houses in Varanasi during the 17th century were made of

The correct answer is Option 4: brick and stone. Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, a renowned 17th-century French gem merchant and traveller, provided detailed accounts of Indian urban architecture during the Mughal era.

In his travelogues, Tavernier observed that Varanasi (Benares) was a significant religious and commercial hub. He specifically noted that unlike many other Indian cities where common dwellings were constructed of perishable materials like mud and bamboo, the houses in Varanasi were predominantly built using brick and stone. He highlighted that many houses were quite lofty, often consisting of several storeys, which necessitated the use of durable materials to support such structures on the riverbank.

• Options 1 and 2 are incorrect because Tavernier emphasized the use of permanent (pucca) materials over mud or thatch.
• Option 3 is incorrect as stone was more prevalent than wood for primary structural integrity in Varanasi's 17th-century landscape.

Therefore, Tavernier’s documentation confirms that the architectural landscape of 17th-century Varanasi was characterized by the sturdy combination of brick and stone.