Test: Through The Eyes of Travellers- 2 - Humanities/Arts MCQ

- Statement i is correct because Al-Biruni was indeed born in Khwarizm and mastered several languages, including Sanskrit, which he studied during his time in India.

- Statement ii is also correct since Al-Biruni's writings provided in-depth insights into Indian culture, religion, and philosophy, enriching travel literature.

- Statement iii is incorrect. The expansion of the Ghaznavid empire into the Punjab facilitated Al-Biruni's studies and interactions with local scholars, enhancing his understanding of the region.

- Statement iv is accurate; Al-Biruni was taken to Ghazni as a hostage during the invasion but later became an integral part of the cultural and intellectual life there.

Thus, the correct statements are i, ii, and iv, making Option C the right choice.

Ibn Battuta reached Sind in 1333 during his overland journey through Central Asia. This journey eventually led him to Delhi, where he served as a qazi under Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq.

• François Bernier, a French traveler and physician, often compared India unfavorably to Europe, particularly France, in his writings.
• He believed that India lagged behind Europe in various aspects, including political organization, social structure, and economic development.
• Bernier observed that in India, the Mughal Empire's system of crown land ownership discouraged private property and long-term agricultural investment, leading to economic decline.
• He noted the rigid social hierarchy and lack of political freedom, contrasting these with what he saw as more dynamic and progressive systems in Europe.
• His belief that these factors made India inferior to the Western world underpinned his overall negative assessment of the country. Thus, both assertion and reason are true and reason correctly explains the assertion. So, option A is correct.

• Al-Biruni was born on September 4, 973 CE in Khwarazm, which is now part of Uzbekistan.
• He was a Persian scholar, polymath, and historian.
• Al-Biruni is best known for his works on Indian history and culture.

- Statement i is correct. Al-Biruni acknowledged the language barrier in translating ideas from Sanskrit to Arabic and Persian.

- Statement ii is incorrect. Al-Biruni did not claim that social divisions were unique to India; he drew parallels with ancient Persia.

- Statement iii is correct. Al-Biruni argued against the concept of social pollution, emphasizing that impurity strives for purity.

- Statement iv is incorrect. Al-Biruni's understanding was influenced by normative Sanskrit texts, contrary to what this statement suggests.

Thus, the correct statements are i and iii.

Statement 1 is incorrect; Bernier noted the absence of private land ownership in the Mughal Empire.
Statement 2 is correct; he often compared the Mughal Empire unfavorably to Europe.
Statement 3 is correct; his works were widely translated and circulated in Europe.
Statement 4 is correct; he lived in India from 1656 to 1668 and served as a physician at the Mughal court.

François Bernier lived and worked in India from 1656 to 1668. During this period, he served as a physician at the Mughal court and later became an intellectual and scientist in association with Danishmand Khan.

Statement 1 is incorrect; Ibn Battuta traveled to Sind in 1333, not 1325.
Statement 2 is correct; he served as a qazi in Delhi.
Statement 3 is correct; he was sent as an envoy to China.
Statement 4 is correct; he returned to Morocco in 1347 after his travels.

- Assertion: The assertion is correct as Al-Biruni's Kitab-ul-Hind indeed consists of 80 chapters that delve into various subjects related to Indian culture, such as religion and philosophy.

- Reason: The reason is also correct as it accurately describes the structure of the chapters in the book. Each chapter does start with a question, followed by descriptions based on Sanskrit traditions, and ends with comparisons.

Since both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason provides a clear explanation of how the chapters are structured in relation to the assertion, Option A is the correct answer.

• Assertion is true as Ibn Battuta, a Moroccan traveler, noted the remarkable efficiency of the postal system in India during his travels.
• He was particularly impressed by how quickly information and goods could be transmitted across the vast distances of the subcontinent.
• The reason is also true.
• The postal system in medieval India was well-organized, with a network of runners and horses that facilitated fast communication.
• This enabled news and messages to travel much more rapidly than the physical movement of people.
• The reason provides a correct explanation for why Ibn Battuta was amazed by the postal system, as it highlighted the advanced infrastructure that supported efficient communication across the region.

- Statement i is correct as François Bernier was indeed a physician to Prince Dara Shukoh at the Mughal court.

- Statement ii is incorrect; while Bernier's major work was dedicated to Louis XIV, it portrayed India in a bleak light, not highlighting its positive aspects.

- Statement iii is correct; Bernier's writings often compared India unfavorably to Europe.

- Statement iv is also correct; Bernier's works were published in several languages soon after their initial release in France.

Thus, the correct statements are i, iii, and iv, making Option C the right answer.

Al-Biruni was taken to Ghazni in 1017 during Sultan Mahmud's invasion of Khwarizm. This event marked the beginning of his stay in Ghazni, where he spent the rest of his life.

• The Assertion is correct; Al-Biruni did draw parallels between the caste system in India and the social divisions of ancient Persia, suggesting that social stratification was common in various cultures.
• The Reason is also correct; Al-Biruni acknowledged the Islamic principle of equality among men based on piety, which does stand in contrast to the hierarchical nature of the caste system.
• However, the Reason does not serve as a correct explanation for the Assertion, as the comparison of social structures does not directly relate to the notions of equality within Islam.

Ibn Battuta stayed in the Maldives for eighteen months, serving as the qazi, or Islamic judge, during his time there.

Statement 1 is incorrect; Al-Biruni was born in Khwarizm and later moved to Ghazni.
Statement 2 is correct; he mastered Sanskrit during his stay in Punjab.
Statement 3 is incorrect; Kitab-ul-Hind was written in Arabic.
Statement 4 is correct; his interest in Indian culture grew during the Ghaznavid empire's expansion into Punjab.

• Al-Biruni's birth: 973 in Khwarizm.
• Relocation to Ghazni: 1017 during Sultan Mahmud's invasion.
• Ibn Battuta's arrival in Sind: 1333.
• François Bernier's arrival in India: 1656.

Assertion is true because, as recorded by travelers like Ibn Battuta, the buying and selling of slaves in markets was a common practice in medieval India. Slaves were treated as commodities and were part of the trade that occurred in various markets across the region. This reason is also true. Slaves, especially female slaves, were often exchanged as gifts, particularly among the elite and rulers. This practice was a reflection of the social norms and the value placed on slaves as property during that period. Thus, these points demonstrate why both the assertion and the reason are true, with the reason providing the correct explanation for the assertion.

• Statement I: Al-Biruni was influenced by Greek philosophers, though he didn’t know Greek directly but through Arabic translations.
• Statement II: Bernier's works were indeed popular and widely translated, contributing to Western perceptions of India. However, this does not explain Al-Biruni’s influence by Greek philosophers.

Al-Biruni relied almost exclusively on the works of Brahmanas, the priestly caste in Hindu society, for his understanding of Indian culture and religion.

• Al-Biruni: Authored "Kitab-ul-Hind."
• Ibn Battuta: Served as qazi in Delhi under Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
• François Bernier: Compared India to Europe in his travel writings.
• Jean-Baptiste Tavernier: A French jeweler who made several trips to India.