Through the eyes of travellers
Travellers and Their Accounts of India: Al-Biruni and Ibn Battuta
Throughout history, travellers have ventured into unfamiliar lands, encountering new landscapes, customs, languages, and ways of life. These visitors often recorded what they found unusual or remarkable, offering unique insights into the societies they observed. Sadly, no travel account from this period has survived from a woman’s perspective. However, the writings of male travellers like Al-Biruni and Ibn Battuta continue to be invaluable sources for understanding India's past.
Al-Biruni: A Scholar from Khwarizm
Al-Biruni, originally from Khwarizm (in present-day Uzbekistan), was one of the most renowned scholars of the medieval Islamic world. He received an excellent education and was proficient in multiple languages, including Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, and Sanskrit. He was also familiar with Greek philosophy and translated works of thinkers like Plato into Arabic.
In 1017, when Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni invaded Khwarizm, he brought Al-Biruni back to Ghazni (in present-day Afghanistan). Al-Biruni spent the remainder of his life in Ghazni and developed a deep interest in India. He immersed himself in Indian culture, studying Sanskrit with the help of Brahmin priests and scholars. He translated several Sanskrit texts into Arabic, including Patanjali's works and the Mahabharata.
His most significant contribution was his famous book, Kitab al-Hind ("The Book of India"), written in Arabic. This work is a comprehensive and lucid account of Indian society, culture, and knowledge systems. It is organized into 18 chapters, covering diverse topics such as:
-
Religion and philosophy
-
Festivals and astronomy
-
Social customs and manners
-
Iconography and metaphysics
-
Law, weights and measures (metrology)
Each chapter follows a systematic structure: it begins with a description of Indian traditions (mainly based on Sanskrit sources) and ends with a comparative analysis with other cultures, often Islamic or Greek. Al-Biruni’s training in mathematics and science is evident in the precision and objectivity of his observations.
Ibn Battuta: A Moroccan Traveller’s Indian Journey
Another important traveller was Ibn Battuta, a Moroccan scholar who travelled extensively throughout the Islamic world. He is best known for his travelogue Rihla ("The Journey"), written in Arabic, which offers detailed insights into the social and cultural life of India during the 14th century.
Before arriving in India, Ibn Battuta had already undertaken a pilgrimage to Mecca and visited regions such as Syria, Iraq, Persia, Yemen, Oman, and several trading ports. In 1333, intrigued by the fame of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, the Sultan of Delhi, as a generous patron of learning, Ibn Battuta travelled to India through Multan and Uchh.
Impressed by his knowledge and scholarship, the Sultan appointed Ibn Battuta as a Qazi (judge) in his court. He served in Delhi for several years. However, due to political tensions and misunderstandings, he temporarily fell out of the Sultan’s favor. Later, he was reinstated and entrusted with a diplomatic mission.
In 1342, the Sultan sent him as his envoy to the court of the Mongol ruler of China. This journey marked another remarkable phase in Ibn Battuta’s long and adventurous travels.
Conclusion
The writings of Al-Biruni and Ibn Battuta are valuable historical sources that offer external perspectives on medieval Indian society. While Al-Biruni’s account is marked by academic depth and comparative analysis, Ibn Battuta’s narrative brings out the lively social and cultural details of 14th-century India. Together, their works enrich our understanding of India’s past through the eyes of those who saw it from beyond its borders.
History by Nikhil Sir
Comments
Post a Comment