Francois Bernier was physician to

François Bernier was a French physician, political philosopher, and historian who traveled to the Mughal Empire in search of opportunities [1]. He resided in India for twelve years, from 1656 to 1668, and was closely associated with the Mughal court [1]. Upon his arrival, he served as a personal physician to Prince Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Emperor Shah Jahan and the designated successor to the throne [1]. Following the defeat and execution of Dara Shikoh during the war of succession, Bernier later served as a physician at the court of Emperor Aurangzeb and was associated with the Armenian noble Danishmand Khan [1]. His famous work, 'Travels in the Mogul Empire', provides detailed observations of the Mughal administration, the succession struggle, and the socio-economic conditions of 17th-century India [3].

Sources

1. [1] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Through the Eyes of Travellers > 3. François Bernier A Doctor with a Difference > p. 122
2. [2] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Through the Eyes of Travellers > 6. Bernier and the "Degenerate" East > p. 130
3. [3] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 14: The Mughal Empire > Deccan Sultanates > p. 209