In 1017 CE, at the behest of Sultan Mahmud of Persia, Alberuni, also known as Al-Biruni, travelled to India toearn about the Hindus and to discuss with them questions of religion, science anditerature and what formed the very basis of their civilization. He remained in India for thirteen years, his exploration and study of the country gave way to a scholarly work that, in its profound understanding of almost all aspects of Indianife, remained unmatched for eight hundred years.