'Akhbar al-Zaman' (The History of Time), a large historical work, and 'Muruj al-Dhahab' (Meadows of Gold) were written by the Arab traveller who visited India in the 10th century:

"Akhbar al-Zaman" ("The History of Time") and "Muruj al-Dhahab wa Ma'adin al-Jawhar" ("Meadows of Gold and Mines of Gems") were written by the Arab historian, geographer and traveller Al-Masudi, who visited India in the early 10th century.

About Al-Masudi:

• His full name was Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn al-Husayn al-Masudi.
• He was born in Baghdad, around 896 CE, and died in Egypt (Fustat) around 956 CE.
• He travelled widely through Persia, India, Sri Lanka, East Africa, Arabia, Syria and Egypt.
• He visited India around 915-916 CE, travelling through Sindh, Multan, Gujarat (Cambay) and the western coast.
• He is often called the "Herodotus of the Arabs", because of his wide-ranging historical and geographical works.

His works:

• "Akhbar al-Zaman": a vast history of the world, in many volumes; most of it is lost.
• "Muruj al-Dhahab": a shorter version of his historical works, which survives; it contains descriptions of many countries, including India.
• "Kitab al-Tanbih wa al-Ishraf": a later work summarising his ideas.

His observations on India:

• He described the Rashtrakuta kings (whom Arab writers called "Balhara") as the most powerful rulers of India.
• He described the Pratihara kingdom (Kannauj), the Pala kingdom, and the kingdom of Multan.
• He noted the large armies, the wealth of the kings, and the trade of the Indian ports.
• He described Indian customs, religions, and the caste system.

Other Arab writers on India:

• Sulaiman the Merchant (9th century): described the Pala, Pratihara and Rashtrakuta kingdoms.
• Ibn Khurdadbih (9th century): wrote about trade routes.
• Al-Biruni (11th century): wrote a detailed study of Indian society.
• Ibn Battuta (14th century): a Moroccan traveller.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Al-Biruni, Ibn Battuta and Sulaiman wrote other accounts.