Identify the foreign traveller with the help of the following information : He was Moroccan traveller of the 14th century. He had the expertise of Islamic religion law. He was appointed Qazi of Delhi by Muhammad bin Tughlaq
Identify the foreign traveller with the help of the following information : He was Moroccan traveller of the 14th century. He had the expertise of Islamic religion law. He was appointed Qazi of Delhi by Muhammad bin Tughlaq
Options
The correct option is (C) Ibn Batuta.
Why:
- Ibn Battuta was a 14th-century Moroccan traveller and legal scholar (expert in Islamic law, shari'a).
- He reached Delhi and was appointed Qazi of Delhi by Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq; his travelogue is called the Rihla.
Marking Scheme
- 11 mark for selecting option (C) Ibn Batuta.
- 2Clues that fix the answer: Moroccan origin + 14th century + Qazi of Delhi under Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
Hint
Moroccan, 14th century, expert in Islamic law, made Qazi of Delhi — think of the author of the Rihla.
Quick Oral Answer
Ibn Battuta was a 14th-century Moroccan traveller and legal scholar who was appointed Qazi of Delhi by Muhammad bin Tughlaq and recorded his journeys in the Rihla.
Analysis & Explanation
This question asks you to match three clues to the correct traveller.
Concept:
- Ibn Battuta travelled extensively across Africa and Asia in the 14th century and recorded his experiences in the Rihla, written in Arabic.
- His training in Islamic law led Muhammad bin Tughlaq to appoint him Qazi (judge) of Delhi.
Why (C) is correct:
- Moroccan origin, 14th century, expertise in Islamic law, and the post of Qazi of Delhi all point uniquely to Ibn Battuta.
Why the distractors are wrong:
- (A) Al-Biruni — an 11th-century scholar from Khwarizm (Central Asia) who wrote the Kitab-ul-Hind, not a Qazi of Delhi.
- (B) Seydi Ali Reis — a 16th-century Ottoman admiral, not a Moroccan Qazi.
- (D) Mahmud Ali Balkhi — a 17th-century traveller from Balkh; wrong period and origin.
Common Mistakes
- 1Confusing Ibn Battuta with Al-Biruni — Al-Biruni was an 11th-century Central Asian scholar, not a Moroccan of the 14th century.
- 2Overlooking the specific clue 'Qazi of Delhi appointed by Muhammad bin Tughlaq', which points only to Ibn Battuta.
Interesting Facts
Ibn Battuta considered book knowledge less valuable than lived experience, and travelled for nearly three decades across Africa and Asia.
He described the coconut and the paan (betel leaf) with wonder for his readers, treating everyday Indian things as marvels.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of Ibn Battuta's travel account?
His travelogue is called the Rihla, written in Arabic, describing his journeys across Africa, West Asia, India and beyond in the 14th century.
What position did Ibn Battuta hold in Delhi?
Because of his expertise in Islamic law, Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq appointed him the Qazi (judge) of Delhi.