PPT: Through the Eyes of Travellers | History Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

 Page 1


Through the Eyes of 
Travellers
Page 2


Through the Eyes of 
Travellers
The Value of Travel Accounts
Diverse Motivations
Travellers came to India for various 
reasons - as traders, merchants, 
soldiers, priests, pilgrims, or driven 
by adventure. Their accounts offer 
glimpses into a world different 
from their own.
Unique Perspectives
As outsiders, travellers often 
noticed and recorded customs, 
languages, and practices that 
locals took for granted. This 
different perspective makes their 
accounts particularly interesting.
Varied Subjects
Travel accounts cover diverse 
topics like court affairs, religious 
issues, architecture, and social 
customs, providing a multifaceted 
view of Indian society and culture.
Page 3


Through the Eyes of 
Travellers
The Value of Travel Accounts
Diverse Motivations
Travellers came to India for various 
reasons - as traders, merchants, 
soldiers, priests, pilgrims, or driven 
by adventure. Their accounts offer 
glimpses into a world different 
from their own.
Unique Perspectives
As outsiders, travellers often 
noticed and recorded customs, 
languages, and practices that 
locals took for granted. This 
different perspective makes their 
accounts particularly interesting.
Varied Subjects
Travel accounts cover diverse 
topics like court affairs, religious 
issues, architecture, and social 
customs, providing a multifaceted 
view of Indian society and culture.
Al-Biruni and the Kitab-ul-
Hind
From Khwarizm to the Punjab
1
Early Life (973)
Born in Khwarizm (present-day Uzbekistan), a 
center of learning. Received the best education 
available, mastering multiple languages.
2
Arrival in Ghazni (1017)
Taken to Ghazni by Sultan Mahmud. Initially a 
hostage, he grew to like the city and spent the rest 
of his life there.
3
Study of India
Developed interest in India, spent years with 
Brahmana priests and scholars, learning Sanskrit 
and studying religious and philosophical texts.
4
Writing Kitab-ul-Hind
Wrote his comprehensive work on India, covering 
religion, philosophy, festivals, customs, social life, 
and more.
Page 4


Through the Eyes of 
Travellers
The Value of Travel Accounts
Diverse Motivations
Travellers came to India for various 
reasons - as traders, merchants, 
soldiers, priests, pilgrims, or driven 
by adventure. Their accounts offer 
glimpses into a world different 
from their own.
Unique Perspectives
As outsiders, travellers often 
noticed and recorded customs, 
languages, and practices that 
locals took for granted. This 
different perspective makes their 
accounts particularly interesting.
Varied Subjects
Travel accounts cover diverse 
topics like court affairs, religious 
issues, architecture, and social 
customs, providing a multifaceted 
view of Indian society and culture.
Al-Biruni and the Kitab-ul-
Hind
From Khwarizm to the Punjab
1
Early Life (973)
Born in Khwarizm (present-day Uzbekistan), a 
center of learning. Received the best education 
available, mastering multiple languages.
2
Arrival in Ghazni (1017)
Taken to Ghazni by Sultan Mahmud. Initially a 
hostage, he grew to like the city and spent the rest 
of his life there.
3
Study of India
Developed interest in India, spent years with 
Brahmana priests and scholars, learning Sanskrit 
and studying religious and philosophical texts.
4
Writing Kitab-ul-Hind
Wrote his comprehensive work on India, covering 
religion, philosophy, festivals, customs, social life, 
and more.
Kitab-ul-Hind
1
Comprehensive Work
A voluminous text divided 
into 80 chapters covering 
various aspects of Indian life, 
culture, and knowledge 
systems.
2
Structured Approach
Each chapter typically begins 
with a question, followed by a 
description based on Sanskrit 
traditions, and concludes with 
a comparison to other 
cultures.
3
Critical Perspective
Al-Biruni aimed to improve 
upon existing Arabic 
translations of Indian texts, 
offering a more nuanced and 
accurate portrayal of Indian 
society.
Page 5


Through the Eyes of 
Travellers
The Value of Travel Accounts
Diverse Motivations
Travellers came to India for various 
reasons - as traders, merchants, 
soldiers, priests, pilgrims, or driven 
by adventure. Their accounts offer 
glimpses into a world different 
from their own.
Unique Perspectives
As outsiders, travellers often 
noticed and recorded customs, 
languages, and practices that 
locals took for granted. This 
different perspective makes their 
accounts particularly interesting.
Varied Subjects
Travel accounts cover diverse 
topics like court affairs, religious 
issues, architecture, and social 
customs, providing a multifaceted 
view of Indian society and culture.
Al-Biruni and the Kitab-ul-
Hind
From Khwarizm to the Punjab
1
Early Life (973)
Born in Khwarizm (present-day Uzbekistan), a 
center of learning. Received the best education 
available, mastering multiple languages.
2
Arrival in Ghazni (1017)
Taken to Ghazni by Sultan Mahmud. Initially a 
hostage, he grew to like the city and spent the rest 
of his life there.
3
Study of India
Developed interest in India, spent years with 
Brahmana priests and scholars, learning Sanskrit 
and studying religious and philosophical texts.
4
Writing Kitab-ul-Hind
Wrote his comprehensive work on India, covering 
religion, philosophy, festivals, customs, social life, 
and more.
Kitab-ul-Hind
1
Comprehensive Work
A voluminous text divided 
into 80 chapters covering 
various aspects of Indian life, 
culture, and knowledge 
systems.
2
Structured Approach
Each chapter typically begins 
with a question, followed by a 
description based on Sanskrit 
traditions, and concludes with 
a comparison to other 
cultures.
3
Critical Perspective
Al-Biruni aimed to improve 
upon existing Arabic 
translations of Indian texts, 
offering a more nuanced and 
accurate portrayal of Indian 
society.
Ibn Battuta 
An early globe-trotter
1
Early Life
Born in Tangier, Morocco, into a family known for 
expertise in Islamic law. Received literary and 
scholastic education from a young age.
2
Early Travels
Made pilgrimage trips to Mecca and extensively 
traveled through Syria, Iraq, Persia, Yemen, Oman, 
and East African ports before coming to India.
3
Arrival in India (1333)
Reached Sind, then traveled to Delhi, impressed by 
Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq's reputation as a 
patron of arts and letters.
4
Indian Adventures
Appointed as qazi of Delhi, later sent as Sultan's 
envoy to China. Traveled extensively within India 
before proceeding to China.