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Rihla: About Ibn Battuta, About Rihla, Contents of Rihla And Depiction Of India!

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The Rihla or travels is a book by Ibn Battuta is an amazing travelogue that tells us about his journeys for over 30 years. Rihla was written in Arabic. It's like a special diary of his adventures in the olden times. He saw many different places, met different people, and experienced different cultures. It's a book full of interesting knowledge and encourages us to be curious about the world around us.

Rihla is an important part of the UPSC IAS exam syllabus, especially for the UPSC History Optional paper. It is also important for UGC NET History Exam. Aspirants preparing for these tests should study Rihla in depth since questions related to historical sources, of which Rihla forms a part, regularly feature in both examinations.

About Ibn Battuta

The Arabic travelogue Rihla was written by Ibn Battuta. It contains a wealth of information about the social and cultural life of the Indian subcontinent in the fourteenth century. This Moroccan wanderer was raised in Tangier by one of the most illustrious and well-educated families renowned for their knowledge of Islamic law, or shari'a.

  • Ibn Battuta acquired his literary and academic education while he was relatively young, following his family's custom.
  • In contrast to most of his peers, Ibn Battuta believed that travel experiences were a more valuable source of information than books. He simply enjoyed travelling and visiting distant locations to learn about new cultures and people. 
  • Before departing for India in 1332–1333, he had journeyed extensively through Syria, Iraq, Persia, Yemen, Oman, and a few commercial ports on the coast of East Africa. He had also made pilgrimages to Mecca.
  • Ibn Battuta traveled by land from Central Asia to Sind in 1333. He had heard of Sultan of Delhi Muhammad bin Tughlaq and was drawn in by his renown as a rich patron of the arts and literature. 
  • He started towards Delhi, going through Multan and Uch. His academic accomplishments won Sultan's admiration, and he was chosen to serve as Delhi's qazi or judge. He held that post for many years until losing favour and being imprisoned. 
  • He was reinstated to imperial service when the misunderstanding between him and the Sultan was resolved, and in 1342 he was given the command to travel to China to meet with the Mongol emperor as Sultan's representative.
  • Ibn Battuta travelled from central India to the Malabar coast with his new mission. He left Malabar for the Maldives, where he served as the qazi for eighteen months before deciding to travel to Sri Lanka. Before continuing his voyage to China, he visited Bengal and Assam and returned to the Malabar coast and the Maldives.
  • He boarded a ship bound for Sumatra before transferring to another vessel bound for the Chinese port city of Zaytun (now known as Quanzhou). He went widely throughout China, even as far as Beijing, although he only stayed there briefly before opting to leave in 1347.
  • His story is frequently contrasted with Marco Polo's, who travelled from his base in Venice to China (and India) in the late thirteenth century. Ibn Battuta took thorough notes about the new cultures, peoples, beliefs, customs, etc., that he encountered.

Read Here About Ziauddin Barani Here!

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About Rihla

In 1357, Marinid Sultan Abu Inan asked Ibn Juzayy to help edit Ibn Battuta's exciting adventure tale called Rihla. Ibn Battuta wrote about his own experiences, but Ibn Juzayy made some changes and additions to match the style of that time. 

  • Sometimes Ibn Battuta's memory wasn't perfect, so there are some mistakes in the text. He may have gotten town positions, names, and chronology wrong sometimes, but considering the large area he covered and the many people and places he mentioned, these mistakes are not very common. 
  • While Ibn Battuta claims to tell the truth, there are some exaggerations, influenced by his Islamic theology education. His journeys can be divided into two parts: Section A talks about the Islamic world and Africa, and we're more interested in Section B, which covers India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.

Also Read About Aberuni And Kitab-ul Hind Here!

Depiction Of India

Ibn Battuta was a great observer and his book is filled with true and detailed information about his experiences. He visited at the time of Delhi Sultanate. He talks about many aspects of life, like the government, soldiers, and even musical instruments. He had a close relationship with Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq's government and describes everything in great detail.

  • In his book, Ibn Battuta describes the royal camp as a moving city with lots of tents, markets, offices, officials, and servants. 
  • He also discovered unique things about the Indian postal service and the Chowdhris, which we can't find anywhere else. He clearly explains the differences between the clergy and the common people.
  • Ibn Battuta's report is full of information about court and town life, including rituals, fancy parties, and delicious food. 
  • He even tells us about the aristocracy's trips to special places called Tarababad, where there were musicians, singers, and prostitutes. His descriptions help us visualize what these places were like.
  • Ibn Battuta was a great explorer and observer. In his writings, he talks about how Hindus in India hold cows in high regard and punish those who harm them. He also noticed differences between Sri Lanka and India in how they treat cows. 
  • Ibn Battuta found that Hindus have strict rules about purity and cleanliness, which sometimes meant not allowing Muslims into their homes or sharing utensils with them. 
  • He also saw similarities between Hindus and Muslims in their respect for saints and appreciated the charitable efforts of Hindus.
  • Ibn Battuta's descriptions of Indian agriculture, crops, and fruits are detailed. He talks about betel leaves, coconuts, and their social significance. He enjoyed Indian food like samosas, seekh kababs, parathas, and chapatis.
  • Ibn Battuta bought "horses, camels, and slaves" when he arrived in Sind to give to Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq. As soon as he arrived in Multan, he gave the governor "a slave and horse along with raisins and almonds".
  • Ibn Battuta says that Muhammad bin Tughlaq gave Nasiruddin "a hundred thousand tankas (coins) and two hundred slaves") after being pleased with his sermon.
  • According to Ibn Battuta's testimony, there was a lot of variation among slaves. Ibn Battuta admired the performance of some female slaves at the sister of the Sultan's wedding who were skilled musicians and dancers working for the Sultan. The Sultan also used female slaves to keep an eye on his nobles.
  • Ibn Battuta praises Tughlaq for welcoming outsiders and exploring different places. He provides useful information about travel routes, obstacles, and the existence of towns and villages in the subcontinent. He also pays attention to local traditions. However, he struggles with keeping track of dates and timelines.
  • He describes Tughlaq policies as the reason for decline of Delhi Sultanate.

Conclusion

Ibn Battuta's Rihla book is really special. It tells us a lot about the past and different cultures. His stories are like a time machine, showing us what life was like long ago. The book challenges what we think we know and makes us want to explore. It teaches us that traveling can change our lives and help us learn new things. Ibn Battuta's adventures are a reminder to be curious, embrace different cultures, and be open to new experiences. The Rihla book is like a treasure that will always be important for understanding our world and the people who lived before us.

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Rihla FAQs

Ibn Battuta was a famous Moroccan explorer and writer who lived in the 14th century.

Rihla is the name of Ibn Battuta's travelogue or book that describes his journeys.

Ibn Battuta's Rihla is important because it gives us valuable insights into the medieval world, different cultures, and historical events.

We can learn about different societies, customs, trade networks, and the diversity of Islamic civilization from Ibn Battuta's Rihla.

Ibn Battuta's Rihla inspires people to be curious, explore the world, and embrace new experiences and cultures.

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