Born in Tangier, Ibn Battuta was a Moroccan traveller. Ibn travelled extensively during his life, visiting Syria, Iraq, Persia, Yemen, Oman, and a few East African commercial ports. He arrived in India in the years 1332–33 AD, under the reign of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq, who designated him as the "qazi," or judge of Delhi. He went to China as the Sultan's envoy in 1342. Here we will discuss more about Ibn Battuta, which will be useful to understand how foreigners viewed India from their perspective during ancient times. This article will help the UPSC Civil Service aspirants to cover ‘India through the eyes of Foreign Travellers’ in detail.

Ibn Battuta (1304 - 1369)

• Ibn Battuta was born in 1304 CE in Tangiers, Morocco, into an Islamic household during the medieval era.
• Ibn Battuta was 21 years old when he decided to travel on a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1325.
• Ibn Battuta travelled through most of the known Islamic and non-Muslim territories during the following 30 years.
• Before coming home in 1354 CE, he travelled through North Africa, the Horn of Africa, West Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, South-East Asia, China, and India.
• Battuta virtually traversed a distance of 75,000 miles, much beyond what his forefathers or his close contemporary Marco Polo had done.

Ibn Battuta’s Visit to India

• On September 12, 1333, Ibn Battuta arrived in India across the high mountains of Afghanistan (Hindu Kush Mountains) and the Indus River, arriving in Delhi at the height of the Tughlaq dynasty.
• Ibn Battuta describes the Indian rhinoceros that dwelt on the banks of the Indus River upon his arrival in Sindh.
• He paid devotion to Baba Farid's shrine after crossing the Sutlej river in modern-day Pakistan.
• Battuta travelled to Hansi in India from the Rajput kingdom of Saraswati, praising it as one of the most beautiful towns in the world.
• Ibn Battuta arrived at the royal court of Mohammad Bin Tughlaq, the ruler of Delhi at the time, and provided him with valuable presents in exchange for a furnished residence and a post as a Qadi (Judge) in the royal court, where he lived for around seven years.
• He visited numerous sites during his stay, including Abohar in Punjab, Sirsa, and Hansi in Haryana, Aligarh, and Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh, Daulatabad in Maharashtra, Khambhat in Gujarat, Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, Ujjain and Kozhikode in Kerala.
• Ibn Battuta was given another duty by Muhammad Bin Tughlaq, which was to look after the Qutb al-Din Mubarak tomb in order to pay off his obligations. The Quwwat al-Islam Mosque and the Qutb Minar, a 288-foot tower, were part of the Qutb complex of structures in Delhi, close to Ibn Battuta's residence.
• In 1341, Ibn Battuta was eager to get away from the political intrigue and requested the king for permission to go another hajj.
• The Sultan wished to appoint Ibn Battuta as envoy to the Mongol court of China, knowing his fondness for travel and sightseeing.
• Battuta began his route to China and was ambushed by Hindi insurgents west of Delhi. They did, however, vanquish the insurgents.
• They sailed from Khambhat in Gujarat to Calicut (now Kozhikode), where they were guests of the governing Zamorin.
• He resided in Southern India for a time under the protection of Jamal-ud-Din, the king of the small but powerful Nawayath sultanate on the banks of the Sharavathi River, which runs beside the Arabian Sea.
• Ibn Battuta had no alternative but to flee India once the sultanate was overthrown. He chose to continue his voyage to China, but not before stopping at the Maldive Islands for nine months.
• Ibn Battuta had no intention of staying, but when he arrived in Male, the authorities of the once Buddhist country, which had lately converted to Islam, were seeking a chief judge who could speak Arabic and the Quran. They persuaded Ibn Battuta to stay and elevated him to the position of chief judge.
• He travelled to Sri Lanka after visiting Sri Pada and Tenavaram temples in the Maldives.
• Ibn Battuta was stranded on the beach and made his way back to India's Madurai kingdom. He served in Ghiyas-ud-Din Muhammad Damghani's court during the short-lived Madurai Sultanate.
• In the hopes of racing China, he returned to the Maldives and joined a Chinese ship. He arrived at Bangladesh's port of Chittagong in 1345 CE, intending to journey to Sylhet via the Kamarau highlands. He then continued north into Assam before turning back to resume his original itinerary.

Ibn Battuta - Extra Facts

• In 1349, Ibn Battuta went to Tangier for a few days, when he paid his respects to his mother, who had died of plague few months before his return.
• He went on to visit North Africa, Spain, and West Africa after that. When Ibn Battuta returned from his expedition to Morocco in 1354, at the request of the Marinid monarch of Morocco, he dictated an account of his travels in Arabic to Ibn Juzayy, a scholar.
• Ibn Battuta's exploits are solely known through this report. A Masterpiece to Those Who Contemplate the Wonders of Cities and the Marvels of Traveling is the full title of the text. It is, however, commonly referred to as Rihla- The Travels.
• After the completion of his Rihla in 1355, nothing is known about Ibn Battuta's life. In 1369, he was appointed as a judge in Morocco and died.

Conclusion

Battuta contributed to the Dar al Islam movement and helped to retain Islam's global influence. His works may be utilized by historians as a window into the past, allowing them to see the world through his eyes as it was at the time.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Who was Ibn Battuta and what is his significance in Indian history?

A) A Persian poet known for his works on India
B) A Moroccan traveler who served under the Delhi Sultanate
C) An Indian philosopher
D) A Muslim scholar who led military expeditions

2. In which Sultan's court did Ibn Battuta serve as a Qadi?

A) Sultan Alauddin Khilji
B) Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq
C) Sultan Iltutmish
D) Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq

3. Which of the following best describes Ibn Battuta’s contributions to history?

A) He wrote about the administrative structure of the Mughal Empire
B) His travelogue provides insights into medieval India under the Delhi Sultanate
C) He was a key military strategist in the Delhi Sultanate
D) He was a trader who contributed to the Silk Road

4. What was the title of Ibn Battuta's famous travelogue?

A) Al-Bukhari
B) Rihla
C) Kitab al-Jihad
D) Tabaqat al-Sufiya

5. How did Ibn Battuta’s writings contribute to our understanding of the Delhi Sultanate?

A) They offered detailed military strategies
B) They described the political system of the Mughal Empire
C) They provided insights into the administration, culture, and social structures of the Delhi Sultanate
D) They focused on the geographical features of India

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the impact of Ibn Battuta’s travels on the understanding of the political and social life of 14th-century India.

Answer: Ibn Battuta's travels through India during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq provide an invaluable account of the political, social, and economic conditions of medieval India. His observations offer detailed insights into the administrative structure of the Delhi Sultanate, the court culture, and the relationship between Hindus and Muslims. Furthermore, his accounts highlight the challenges of governance, trade, and military operations during a time of transition and instability in the region. His writings help us understand the intricate dynamics of Indian society during this period.

Q2: Discuss the role of Ibn Battuta in bridging the cultural exchange between India and other regions during the medieval period.

Answer: Ibn Battuta’s journey facilitated significant cultural exchanges between India, the Middle East, and North Africa. His interactions with local rulers, scholars, and religious leaders in India promoted understanding between different cultures. He brought back information about the thriving trade routes, the advancements in education, and the influence of Indian art and culture on the broader Muslim world. His travel accounts helped create a historical narrative that connected the cultures of the Islamic world with South Asia, thus influencing future scholars and traders.

Q3: Evaluate the challenges faced by Ibn Battuta during his travels in India. How did these challenges shape his perception of the region?

Answer: Ibn Battuta faced numerous challenges during his travels in India, including harsh geographical conditions, cultural barriers, and the political instability under Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq. He struggled with the Sultan’s erratic policies, which often disrupted his journey and caused financial instability. Despite these challenges, Ibn Battuta’s writings reflect his admiration for the resilience of the Indian people and the splendor of Indian cities, particularly Delhi. These experiences contributed to his nuanced understanding of India, highlighting both the difficulties and the vibrancy of the region during the 14th century.

Previous Year Questions on Ibn Battuta

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020:

Question: Ibn Battuta, the famous 14th-century traveler, visited India during the reign of which Sultan?

A) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
B) Alauddin Khilji
C) Iltutmish
D) Firoz Shah Tughlaq

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Ibn Battuta visited India during the reign of Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq of the Delhi Sultanate.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1):

Question: Discuss the contributions of Ibn Battuta’s travel accounts to our understanding of the political and cultural landscape of medieval India.

Answer: Ibn Battuta’s travel accounts offer critical insights into the functioning of the Delhi Sultanate under Muhammad bin Tughlaq. His observations of the Sultan's court, governance, and interactions with the local population provide a detailed perspective on medieval India’s political dynamics. His accounts also shed light on the cultural diversity, religious practices, and social interactions between different communities. Ibn Battuta’s writings remain a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of medieval Indian society and governance.