Worksheet: Through the eyes of travelers | History Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Fill in the Blanks

Q1: Al-Biruni was born in __________, which is in present-day Uzbekistan.

Q2: In 1017, Sultan Mahmud invaded Khwarizm and took Al-Biruni to his capital, __________.

Q3: Al-Biruni wrote the book "Kitab-ul-Hind" in the __________ language.

Q4: Ibn Battuta reached Sind in the year __________.

Q5: Muhammad bin Tughlaq appointed Ibn Battuta as the __________ of Delhi.

Q6: Ibn Battuta was sent as the Sultan's envoy to __________.

Q7: According to Ibn Battuta, it took __________ days to travel from Multan to Delhi.

Q8: Al-Biruni believed that the biggest barrier to understanding India was __________.

Q9: Al-Biruni explained the caste system by looking for parallels in other societies, including ancient __________.

Q10: According to Bernier, one of the fundamental differences between Mughal India and Europe was the lack of private property in __________.

Assertion and Reason Based

Q1: Assertion: Al-Biruni was well-versed in several languages, including Sanskrit.
Reason: Al-Biruni's interest in India led him to learn Sanskrit.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.

Q2: Assertion: Ibn Battuta's "Rihla" provides rich details about the social and cultural life in India in the fourteenth century.
Reason: Ibn Battuta visited India in the thirteenth century.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.

Q3: Assertion: Al-Biruni believed that the caste system in India was unique and had no parallels in other societies.
Reason: Al-Biruni accepted the Brahmanical description of the caste system.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.

Q4: Assertion: Ibn Battuta encountered bands of robbers multiple times during his travels in India.
Reason: Ibn Battuta preferred traveling alone rather than in a caravan.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.

Q5: Assertion: Bernier believed that the lack of private property in land in Mughal India had disastrous consequences for the economy.
Reason: Artisans had strong incentives to improve the quality of their manufactures.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: What languages was Al-Biruni well-versed in?

Q2: Where did Al-Biruni develop an interest in India?

Q3: What is the name of Al-Biruni's book about India?

Q4: In which century did Ibn Battuta visit India?

Q5: Who appointed Ibn Battuta as the qazi of Delhi?

Q6: Where did Ibn Battuta go after visiting the Maldives?

Q7: What did Ibn Battuta meticulously record during his travels?

Q8: What was the biggest barrier to understanding India according to Al-Biruni?

Q9: What did Al-Biruni compare the caste system to in his attempts to explain it?

Q10: According to Bernier, what was a fundamental difference between Mughal India and Europe?

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Explain Al-Biruni's background and how he developed an interest in India.

Q2: Describe the content of Al-Biruni's "Kitab-ul-Hind."

Q3: Summarize Ibn Battuta's extensive travels and his experiences in India.

Q4: What were the challenges and dangers that Ibn Battuta faced during his travels in India?

Q5: What were the barriers to understanding India as identified by Al-Biruni?

Q6: How did Al-Biruni attempt to explain the caste system in India?

Q7: What were Ibn Battuta's observations about Indian cities, agriculture, and the postal system?

Q8: What did Bernier believe were the economic consequences of the lack of private property in land in Mughal India?

Long Answers Type Questions

Q1: Discuss the significance of Al-Biruni's "Kitab-ul-Hind" and the subjects covered in the book.

Q2: Compare and contrast the experiences of Ibn Battuta and Al-Biruni in their interactions with Indian society and culture.

Q3: Explain the challenges faced by travelers in Mughal India, as highlighted by Ibn Battuta and Bernier.

Q4: Analyze the role of women, including slaves and those practicing sati, in Mughal India, as observed by travelers like Ibn Battuta and Bernier.