Test: Through The Eyes of Travellers- 1 - Humanities/Arts MCQ

• Assertion: The assertion is true; Ibn Battuta's travels did indeed broaden European perspectives on various cultures, particularly in Africa, Asia, and beyond.
• Reason: The reason is also true; the local ruler did instruct the recording of Battuta’s stories, which indicates their significance.
• Explanation: The reason correctly explains the assertion as it highlights the impact of his recorded accounts in enhancing European knowledge of different cultures.

Al-Biruni learned Sanskrit and studied Indian religious texts to gain deep knowledge of Indian culture. He often compared Indian traditions with other cultures, adding a unique perspective to his work. However, he did not translate the entire Vedas, and his work was not widely read in India before 1500. Therefore, i and ii are correct.

Assertion: The assertion is correct. Al-Biruni’s "Kitab-ul-Hind" indeed employs a structured approach that enhances the reader's understanding of Indian culture by exploring various subjects like religion, astronomy, and customs.

Reason: The reason is also correct, as the work is divided into 80 chapters, structured to facilitate understanding through questions and descriptions based on Sanskritic traditions.

Since the reason accurately explains why the assertion is true, the correct answer is Option A. Both the assertion and reason are true, with the reason being a correct explanation of the assertion.

One of the most famous travellers to India was Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, a French jeweller who travelled to India at least six times. He was fascinated with trading conditions in India, which he compared to Iran and the Ottoman Empire.

Ibn Battuta traveled extensively, from North Africa to China, visiting important regions like India, where he served as a judge (qazi) in Delhi under Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq. He praised the efficiency of the postal system rather than describing it harshly, and after being briefly imprisoned, he returned to government service, making statements iii and iv incorrect.

Ibn Battuta came to India in the fourteenth century. He had set off for India in the year 1332-1333 CE.

• Marco Polo visited India and China in the 13th century.
• Antonio Monserrate visited India in the late 16th century.
• Peter Mundy visited India in the early 17th century.
• Francois Bernier visited India in the mid-17th century.

• Assertion: The assertion is correct; Al-Biruni's contributions to the understanding of Indian culture did not gain significant traction within India until well after 1500.
• Reason: The reason is also true since Al-Biruni's writings were indeed aimed at a broader audience, which contributed to their limited impact in India during his lifetime.
• Explanation: The reason explains the assertion because the intended audience of Al-Biruni's works influenced their reception in India, supporting the assertion that they were largely overlooked until later.

• The Mahajans were organized into caste-cum-occupational bodies, and their chief was known as the Nagarsheth, particularly in western India.
• The term "Maulvi" refers to a religious leader in Islam.
• "Sheshti" was used in certain regions to refer to a chief merchant, but it is different from the Nagarsheth.

• Statement I is true as Bernier did criticize the Mughal system of landownership, believing it hindered agricultural growth.
• Statement II is false because Bernier did not praise the Mughal system for long-term development, nor did he depict Indian towns as entirely prosperous and well-organized.