Ibn Battuta, the Moorish traveller, visited India during the reign of:
Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2013
A. Muhammad-Bin-Tughluq
B. Babar
C. Akbar
D. Mahmud Ghazni
Answer: Muhammad-Bin-Tughluq
Option a is the correct answer.
Ibn Battuta, the Moorish traveler, visited India in 1333 during the reign of Muhammad-Bin-Tughluq. While in Delhi, he served as a qadi (judge) under the sultan. He visited various cities in India, including Hansi, Sindh, and Calicut. His journey to India was marked by challenges, including bandit attacks and shipwrecks. Ibn Battuta's account describes his experiences in India, interactions with rulers, and observations about local customs and society. He also visited the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and other regions, documenting his encounters and adventures. He has in his initial plans to travel to China, he speaks significant time in India during Muhammad Bin Tughluq's rule, offering insights into the socio-political landscape of the time.
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Ibn Battuta [1304 - 1369]:
Ibn Battuta was born in 1304 CE in Tangiers. He embarked on a pilgrimage to Mecca at the age of 21 , beginning a journey that spanned approximately 30 years, chronicled in his renowned work "Rihla."
During his extensive travels, he visited both known Islamic and Non-Muslim lands, including North and West Africa, the Horn of Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central and South-East Asia, China, and India. Notably, he traversed around 75,000 miles during his voyages, a distance that surpassed that covered by his predecessor Marco Polo.
In 1333, Ibn Battuta arrived in India by crossing Afghanistan's mountains and the Indus River, eventually reaching Delhi during the zenith of the Muhammad Bin Tughlaq dynasty's rule.
Amid his explorations, he delved into various cultures, encountering the Indian rhinoceros and visiting significant sites like the shrine of Baba Farid.
He presented valuable gifts to Mohammad Bin Tughlaq and, in return, was granted the position of Qadi, residing in Delhi for seven years.
His journeys extended across regions including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Kerala.
Notably, he took charge of managing the Qutb alDin Mubarak mausoleum, a part of Delhi's Qutb complex.
Beyond his explorations, Ibn Battuta also engaged in diplomatic and political roles, including an offer to serve as an ambassador to China.