Question

“Ibn Battuta’s accounts provide important insights into the Indian society of that time.” Justify the statement.

Answer 1

Ibn Battuta was a Moroccan traveller who visited India in the 14\textsuperscript{th} century during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq. His travelogue, \textit{Rihla}, offers rich insights into the political, social, and cultural life of the Delhi Sultanate.

Political Structure: Ibn Battuta served as the Qazi (judge) in the court of Muhammad bin Tughlaq and described the administration, bureaucracy, and court culture in detail.

Urban Life: He provided vivid descriptions of cities like Delhi and their bustling markets, wealth, cosmopolitan culture, and architectural developments.

Social Hierarchies: His observations on caste, slavery, treatment of women, and social stratification give scholars an understanding of medieval Indian society.

Religious Practices: Ibn Battuta documented the religious diversity of India, including the practices of Hindus, Jains, and Muslims, as well as sectarian differences within Islam.

Cross-Cultural Perspective: As a foreign Muslim observer, his perspective adds valuable comparative insights and reflects how India was perceived in the Islamic world. His account is a significant primary source for understanding 14\textsuperscript{th}-century Indian life and is used extensively by historians.