THEME-5
THROUGH
THE EYES OF TRAVELLERS
PERCEPTIONS
OF SOCIETY
(C.
TENTH TO SEVENTEENTH CENTURY)
(QUESTION-ANSWERS)
Q1:
Match the followings.
(i) Al-Biruni (a) France
(ii) Ibn Battuta (b) Tangier
(iii) Francois Bernier (c) Uzbekistan
(iv) Barbosa (d) Portugal
Ans: (i) –c, (ii)-b,
(iii)-a, (iv)-d
Q2:
Match the followings-
(i) Al-Biruni (a) Beyond Three seas
(ii) Ibn Battuta (b) Travels in Mughal
Empire
(iii) Francois Bernier (c) Rihla
(iv) Afanasy Nikitin (d) Kitab-ul-hind
Ans:-(i) –d, (ii)-c,
(iii)-b, (iv)-a
Q3:
Write down the languages that Al-Biruni knew.
Ans:- He was a learnt
man and well versed in several languages such as Syriac, Arabic, Persian,
Hebrew and Sanskrit.
Q4: Language
in which Kitab-ul-hind was written in ………………..and it has
………..chapters.
Ans- Arbic, 80
Q5:
What was the reason that Al-biruni wrote his book in Arabic?
Ans-Travel literature
was already accepted as a part of Arabic literature and was popular in the
lands between Volga in North and Sahara desert in South.
Q-6:
Who was appointed as a qazi or judge of Delhi.
Ans: Ibn-Battuta.
Q7:
Who was ordered to proceed to china as the Sultan’s envoy to the Mongol Ruler.
Ans: Ibn-Battuta.
Q8:
Which French traveller travelled to India at least six times?
Ans: Travernier.
Q:9
What was the profession/ occupation of Travernier?
Ans: Jeweller.
Q10:
What was the profession of Bernier?
Ans: He was a doctor,
political philospher & historians.
Q11:
Who was the doctor of Prince Dara Shikoh?
Ans: Bernier.
Q12:
Which traveller finaly settled down in India?
Ans- Italian Doctor
Manucci.
Q13:
Description of Daulatabad and Delhi was given by which traveller?
Ans: Ibn – Battuta .
Q.14.
Name any two travellers who came India during the medieval period (11th to 17th
C.E.)?
Ans. 1. Al Biruni
(11th Century) from Uzbekistan
2. Ibn-Battuta (14th
Century) from North western Africa, Morocco.
Q.15
What was the Al-Biruni’s objective to come to India?
Ans. He wanted to help
those who want to discuss religious questions with them.
Q.16.
Name the plant found in India which amazed Ibn-Battuta.
Ans. Coconut – He
wrote that the nuts of coconut resembles a man’s head.
Paan – He wrote about
Paan that the betel has no fruit and is grown only for the
sake of his leaves
Q 17.
When and where was Al-Biruni born.
Ans. Al-Biruni was
born in 973 C.E, in Khwarizm.
Q.18.Name
two Portuguese writers who came to India.
Ans. - Jesuit
Roberto Nobili - in 16th Cen.
- Duarte Barbosa
Q.19.
Name of the book which is written by Al-Biruni .
Ans.
Kitab-ul-Hind" also known as "Tahkik-a-Hind"
Q-20.
In western India the community of Merchants was called…………..
Ans- Sheth or
Mahajans.
Q-21.Bernier
dedicated his work to which ruler?
Ans- French Ruler-
Louis-XIV
Q-22.
Which term was used for India cities by Bernier?
Ans- Camp Towns
Q-23.
Name two western theorists who were influenced by the work of Bernier
Ans-Montesquieu(The idea of
oriental despotism
Karl Marx(The concept of
asiatic mode of production)
Q-24.The
palanquins to carry people by slave were called ……………….
Ans- Dola
Q-25.
Languages in which Bernier work was published.
Ans- French, Dutch,
Spanish, Italian, English
Q-26.
What was the name of two postal system mentioned by Ibn Battuta.
Ans- Uluq-Horse post
and DAwa -foot post.
Q-27.
Why were the service of female slaves were important for Sultans.
Ans-To spy on Nobles
Q-28.
Workshops were called during Mughal period.
Ans-Karkhana
Q-29.
Mahammad –Bin -Tughlaq shifted his capital……………….
Ans- Delhi to
Daulatabad (Maharashtra)
Q-30.
In which countries Ibn Battuta travelled.
Ans- Oman, Maldives, Sri
Lankas China,
Q-31.
In which countries Ibn Battuta set out to travel from India as the sultan
envoy?
Ans- Maldives, Sri
Lanka, China
Q-32.
Which traveller adopted mathematical approach for his account.
Ans-Al-Biruni has
adopted a mathematical approach. He begins each chapter with a question
followed up with a description and comparison of cultures.
Q-33.
Which four categories were mentioned by Al-Biruni in Persia and India?
Ans-He said that in
ancient Persia, there were four social categories: 1.Knights and princes,
2. Monks,
fire-priests and lawyers,
3. Physicians,
astronomers and other scientists.
4. Peasants and
artisans
He described
about the four varnas such as Brhamana,Kshatriya,Vaishya and Shudra.
Q-34.
Who was Pelsaert?
Ans-He was a dutch traveller
who visited Indian in 17 th century describe poverty in India like Bernier.
Q-35.In Which city the chief
of merchant community was called as Nagarsheth.
Ans- Ahamedabad
Q-36.From which city a sculpted
panel was found which depicted travellers?
Ans- Mathura
Q-37.
What was Tarababad?
Ans-A market palace
for male and female singer in Daulatabad was known as Tarababad.
Q-38.Which
textile was very popular in world market according to Ibn batuta.
Ans-Muslins, silk,
brocade, satin, Ikat.
Q-39
Who describe that there is no middle state in India?
Ans- Franciso Bernier
Q-40.What
do you mean by antyaja.
Ans- This term was used for
lower cast person which literally means-born outside the system.
S. A. (3 Marks)
Q-1.What
were the elements of the practice of Sati that drew the attention of Bernier?
Ans.- According
to Bernier, the treatment of women in western and Eastern societies has
a lot of difference.
- Child
widows were forcefully burnt screaming in agony.
- Duarte
Barbosa - Wrote about trade & society of Southern India.
Q-2.
What does AL-Beruni write about the administration of justice in India?
Ans.- Administration
of Justice in India was as follows
- Crude
and primitive in many ways - but also liberal and humane.
- Written
complaints, cases were decided on the testimony of witnesses.
- Criminal
Law was mild.
- Brahmanas
were exempted from taxation and capital punishment.
Q-3.
Give any one feature of the writing of the foreign travellers to India during
the medieval period.
Ans.- To
some extent, the personal prejudices and interests of the travellers colour the
versions given by
them.
- In
associating the historical data, the writer has to be extremely impartial.
- They
wrote about social & cultural life in India during medieval period.
Q-4
.Mention any three shortcomings of Ibn-Battuta's account.
Ans.- He didn't take
notes of everything which he saw daily.
- Many
things out of his memory.
- He
also wrote those things which he heard from his friends.
- So
in his account one finds such terrible mistakes as "wrong routes" and
"wrong
names" of the rulers.
Q-5
.How did Ibn Battuta describe Indian cities?
Ans.- Indian
Cities were densely populated.
- Very
prosperous
- Streets
were crowded.
- Markets
were bright and colorful & had a variety of goods.
- The
Market were the hub of social & cultural activities and economic transactions.
- They
had both a mosque and a temple.
- They
had spaces for public performers
Q-6.Compare
and contrast the perspectives from which Ibn Battuta and Bernier wrote their
accounts of their travels in India.
Ans. Ibn Battuta's perspectives
-
Narrative style.
Highlighted anything
that was unfamiliar and different.
(b) Bernier's
Perspective -
- He
belonged to a different intellectual tradition.
- He
was concerned with comparing and contrasting things in India with Europe.
- He
emphasized the superiority of Europe.
- He
perceived differences hierarchically and shows India inferior to the western
world.
Q-7
.Analyze the evidence for slavery provided by Ibn Battuta.
Ans. Evidence for
Slavery -
- Slaves
were openly sold in Market.
- Different
types of slaves.
- Female
slaves in the service of Sultan.
- Slaves
were used for different kind of domestic work.
- Female
slaves were appointed to keep an eye on the nobles of the Sultan.
- It
was tradition to present slaves as a gift.
Q-8.
Write a note on Kitab-Ul-Hind.
Ans.- It's written by
AL-Biruni in Arabic.
- It's
simple, lucid and easy to understand.
- It
has 80 chapters.
- Varied
topics e.g. religion, philosophy to customs, social life, metrology.
- Most
of chapters beginning with a Questions followed by a description and
concluded with a
comparison with other culture.
Q-9.
Describe the Social condition of India as described by Al-Biruni in the 12th
Century.
Ans. Social Condition
of India.
- Child
marriage.
- Widows
were not allowed to remarry.
- Practice
of Sati was in vogue.
- Uncultured
people were polytheists, but the cultured classes' believed in one god.
- No
one popular Religion of India at that time.
- About
42 religions in the country.
- Hinduism
was divided into number of sects.
Q-10.
According to Bernier, What were the evil-effect of the crown ownership of land?
Ans. -Absence of
ownership of land,
-landholders could not pass on their
land to their children.
-No long term investment in
agriculture.
-Not motivation to increased the
agriculture production.
Q-11.According
to Bernier, What were the evils-effects of the crown ownership of land?
Ans. (1) Absence of
ownership of land, landholders could not pass on their land to their children.
Thus they didn’t take any interest in increasing production.
It prevented the emergence of the
“improving”landlords.
It led to the ruination ofagriculture.
It brought a continuous decline in the
living standard of all sections of society.
It led to the excessive oppression of
the peasantry.
 |
Q-12.What
did Bernier write about the Sati system?
Ans. (i) It was a cruel practice in which the widow was made to sit the
pyre of her husband alive.
(ii)She was forced to besati.
(iii)The people had no sympathy even
for the child widows.
(iv)The cries of the women going to be
a sati did not move anyone.
(v) The Brahmans and the elderly women
of the house participated in this practice.
|
Q-13.Who
wrote ‘Kitab-ul-Hind’? Throw light in its main features?
Ans. The book ‘Kitab-ul-Hind’ was
written by Al-Biruni. Its main features are -
It is written inArabic.
Its language is simple andlucid.
It is written on the subject such as regional,
philosophy, astronomy, sociallife, laws etc.
It is divided into 80chapters.
Each chapter begins with a question
and then description has given based in sanskritic
traditions.
Q.
14. Travels were more difficult and risky in 14th Century". Do you agree
with the
state?
Ans.Yes, because -
- Always danger of robbers.
- Travellers felt home
sickness and fell ill.
Q.29.
What were the main objectives of Bernier's writing behind the "Travels in
the
Mughal
Empire?"
Ans. The main objectives of Bernier -
To compare India with the European Conditions.
- Europeans may take correct
decision regarding India.
- To highlight the Europeans
Supremacy.
Q.30.
With which objectives did the people travel?
Ans. Main objectives of people to
travel.
- In search of job
opportunities.
- To expand their trade.
- To escape from any threat of
natural calamity.
- In form of Soldier and
priest.
L. A. (8 Marks)
Q.1 Describe the
extent to which Bernier's account enables historians to reconstruct
contemporary rural
society.
Ans.
- In
the Mughal Empire all land was owned by the emperor.
- Lack
of Private property.
- Crown
ownership was disastrous for both economy and society.
- Land
couldn't be inherited by their heirs.
- Land
holders ignored the improvement in land.
- Resulted
- decline in agricultural yields, oppression of the peasantry, decline in
living standards of
all sections of society.
- There
were only two classes - rich ruling class and poor class - no middle class
existed in India.
- Many
European travellers were influenced by Bernier's view. But this presents an
erroneous picture.
Q.26. Discuss
Al-Baruni's is understanding of the caste system.
Ans.
- Caste
System was influenced by Sanskrit texts.
- There
were four Vernas i.e. Brahman, Kshatriya, vaishya and shudra.
- He
pointed out about ancient Persian society which was also divided into four
categories.
- He
was against the notion of pollution.
- According
to the law of nature anything which becomes impure, ultimately becomes
pure again.
- He
realized that the caste system was not as rigid as portrayed in Sanskrit text.
- Untouchables
were expected to provide inexpensive labour to peasants and
zamindars.
3.
Analyze the evidence for slavery provided Ibn-Battuta.
Ans. According to
Ibn-Battuta -
Slaves like any other
commodity, were openly sold in the markets.
They were also regularly
exchanged as gifts.
When Ibn-Battuta reached
Sindh, he purchased horses, camels and slaves. He wanted to offer the mas gifts
to sultan Muhammad BinTuglaq.
When he reached to Multan,
he presents slaves and horses with almonds and raisins to the Governor of Multan.
Ibn-batuta says that Muhammad
binTughlaq was so happy with these rmonofa preacher named Nasiruddin that he gave
him”a hundred thousand tankas and two hundred slaves.
The sultan employed femaleslaves
in his service and also to keep a watch on
his nobles.
The slaves were also engaged
for domestic work .But they were given low wages.
Ibn-Battuta found their
services particularly indispensable for carrying women and men on palanquins or
dola.
-
Resource Based Questions
Q.1..The bird leaves
its nest
This is an excerpt
from the Rihla:
My departure from
Tangiermy birthplace, took place on Thursday ... I set out alone,
having neither fellow
traveller... nor caravan whose party I might join, buts wayed by an
over mastering
impulse within me and adesire long-cherished in my bosom to visit these
illustrious
sanctuaries. So Ibraced my resolution to quit all my dear ones, female and
male, and forsook my
homeas birds forsake their nests ...My age at that time was
twenty-two years.
Ibn Battuta returned
home in1354, about 30 years after he had set out.
(i) Who
was Ibn Battuta? Which book did he wrote?
(ii) For
how long did Ibn Batuta remain at the court of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq?
(iii) Name
the countries which Ibn Battuta crossed before he came to India?
Ans.- Ibn Batuta was
a Moroccan traveller; He wrote a book called Rihla -
description of his
journey.
- For
eight years at the court of Tughlaq.
- Egypt,
Palestine, Arabia, Persia, Oman, Eastern Africa, Mecca, Syria &
reached Delhi in
AD-1333.
THE SYSTEM OFVARNAS
ThisisAl-Biruni’saccountofthesystemofvarnas:ThehighestcasteistheBrahmana,
of whom the books of the Hindus tell us that they were created from the head of
Brahman. And as the Brahman is only another name for the force called nature,
and theheadisthehighestpartofthe30……body,theBrahmanaarethechoicepartofthe wholegenus.Therefore,theHindusconsiderthemastheverybestofmankind.
ThenextcasteistheKshatriyawhowascreated,astheysay,fromtheshouldersand
handsofBrahman.TheirdegreeisnotmuchbelowthatoftheBrahmana.Afterthem
followtheVaishya,whowerecreatedfromthethighofBrahman.TheSudrawhowere created
from his feet. Between the latter two classes there is no very great distance.
Much,however,astheseclassesdifferfromeachother,theylivetogetherinthesame
townsandvillages,mixedtogetherinthesamehousesandlodgings.
(a). Explain
Al-Biruni’s account of the system of varnas.
Ans. According to
Al-Biruni, the higher caste is the Brahmana who were created from the
headofbrahaman.Hindusconsiderthemastheverybestofmankind.Thesecondcasteis
theKshatriyawhowascreatedfromtheshouldersandhandsofBrahman.Theyarefollowed
bythevaishya,whoarecreatedfromthethighofBrahman.LastcastewastheShudrawho
werecreatedfromhisfeet.
Doyouconsiderthistypeofdivisionjustified?Explainwithreasons.
Ans. No, such type of
division is not justified because no one is high or low by birth. Men became
high or low by his own karma.
Howwasthesystemnotquitrigidinthereallife?Explain.
Ans. It is right that
this system was not quite rigid in the real life because these castes live
together in the same towns and villages, mixed together in the same house and
lodgings.
 |
ON HORSE AND ON FOOT
This is how Ibn
Battuta described the postal system:
InIndiathepostalsystemisoftwokinds:Thehorse-postcalled‘Uluq’isrunbyroyal
horsesstationedatdistanceofeveryfourmiles.Thefootposthasthreestationspermit.
Itiscalled‘dawa’,thatis,onethirdofamile…..Now,ateverythirdofamilethereis
wellpopulatedvillage,outsidewhicharethreepavilionsinwhichsitmenwithgirded loinsreadytostart.Eachofthemcarriesarod,twocubitsinlengthwithcopperbellsat
thetop.Whenthecourierstartsfromthecity,heholdstheletterinonehandandthe rod with
its bells on the other; and he runs as fast as he can. When the men in the
pavilion hear the ringing of bell they get ready. As soon as the courier
reaches them oneofthemtakestheletterfromhisandrunsatthetopspeedshakingtherodallthe
while until he reaches the next dawa. And the same process continues till the
letter
reachesitsdestination.Thisfoot-personisquickerthanthehorse-post;andoftenitis
usedtotransportthefruitofKhurasanwhicharemuchdesiredinIndia.
NamethetwokindsofpostalSystem.
Ans.Thereweretwokindsofpostalsystem-thehorsepostalsystemandthepostalsystem
onfoot.
Explainhowthefootpostworked.
Ans.Inthepostalserviceonfoot,therewerethreestages.TheywerecalledtheDawa.Itwas
one third part of a mile. There was a village with dense population at a
distance of every
threemile.Therewerethreecentresoutsideit.Thepeopleusedtositinthesecentrestostart
their work. Each one of them had a long rod having copper bells at its top.
Whenever a messenger started his journey, he held the letter in one land and this
rod with copper bells in the other hand. He would run very fast. The people
sitting in the camps at once got ready when they heard the sound of the bell.
As soon as the messenger reached the camp, one of the people would take the
letter and run away at full speed shaking the rod. This process continued till the
letter reach edits destination.
Why does Ibn-Battua think
that the postal system in India was efficient?
Ans.According to IbnBattuta,The
journey from Sindh to Delhi was completed in fifty days. On the other hand, all
the in formation’s given by the detectives reached the king within five days;
Ibn Battuta was quite amazed at their efficiency of the detectives reached the
king within fivedays.
How did the Stateen courage merchants in the14thcentury?
Ans.Inthe14thcentury,the state took special step stoen courage the traders.For
Example,all the trader outeshadserais and resthouses.
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