Solution of Chapter 5. Through The Eyes of Travellers (Themes In Indian History Part II Book)

Write a note on the Kitab-ul-Hind.

Compare and contrast the perspectives from which Ibn Battuta and Bernier wrote their accounts of their travels in India.

Discuss the picture of urban centres that emerges from Bernier’s account.

Analyse the evidence for slavery provided by Ibn Battuta.

What were the elements of the practice of sati that drew the attention of Bernier?

Discuss Al-Biruni’s understanding of the caste system.

Do you think Ibn Battuta’s account is useful in arriving at an understanding of life in contemporary urban centres? Give reasons for your answer.

Discuss the extent to which Bernier’s account enables historians to reconstruct contemporary rural society.

Read this excerpt from Bernier:

Numerous are the instances of handsome pieces of workmanship made by persons destitute of tools, and who can scarcely be said to have received instruction from a master. Sometimes they imitate so perfectly articles of European manufacture that the difference between the original and copy can hardly be discerned. Among other things, the Indians make excellent muskets, and fowling pieces, and such beautiful gold ornaments that it may be doubted if the exquisite workmanship of those articles can be exceeded by any European goldsmith. I have often admired the beauty, softness, and delicacy of their paintings.

List the crafts mentioned in the passage. Compare these with the descriptions of artisanal activity in the chapter.