Through the Eyes of Travellers notes
Class 12 History Chapter 5 Notes
Here, we are providing notes for Chapter 5 of Class 12 History, titled “Through the Eyes of Travellers.” This chapter explores the key features associated with the era of travellers’ perspectives.
These notes will prove beneficial for students preparing for their board examinations this year. Crafted in simple and organized language, this material will aid in quickly revising the chapter and retaining the key points.
Through the Eyes of Travellers notes, Class 12 History Chapter 5 Notes
class 12 history chapter 5 notes
Reasons for travel by women and men
- There were numerous reasons why men and women traveled.
- For instance, in search of work.
- To escape natural disasters.
- To engage in trade.
- Journeys were undertaken as priests and pilgrims, or driven by a spirit of adventure.
Major Travelers Who Visited India from the 10th to the 17th Century
From the 10th century to the 17th century, three major travelers visited India.
- Al-Biruni
- Ibn Battuta
- François Bernier
Al-Biruni
- Al-Biruni was born in 973 CE in Khwarizm, located in present-day Uzbekistan.
- Following the invasion of Khwarizm in 1017 CE, Mahmud of Ghazni brought Al-Biruni back with him to his capital, Ghazni.
- Al-Biruni spent the remainder of his life in Ghazni, until his death at the age of 70.
- ‘Kitab-ul-Hind”, written by Al-Biruni in Arabic, is divided into 80 chapters.
Kitab-ul-Hind
- The language of Al-Biruni’s work Kitab-ul-Hind, written in Arabic, is simple and lucid.
- Kitab-ul-Hind is divided into 80 chapters.
- Kitab-ul-Hind is a comprehensive treatise covering subjects such as religion and philosophy, festivals, astronomy, alchemy (the method of creating artificial gold in chemistry), law, social life, and more.
Some Key Points Described in "Kitab-ul-Hind"
indian caste system
- Al-Biruni compared the caste system of Persia with the Indian caste system.
- The Varna system was prevalent in Indian society.
- Indian society was divided into four Varnas.
- Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras.
- In the *Purusha Sukta* of the *Rigveda*, the origin of the four Varnas is attributed to four parts of the cosmic being, Brahma.
- It is believed that the Brahmins originated from Brahma’s mouth, the Kshatriyas from his arms, the Vaishyas from his thighs, and the Shudras from his feet.
- The duty of the Brahmins was to perform rituals; that of the Kshatriyas was to provide protection; that of the Vaishyas was to engage in trade; and that of the Shudras was to serve these three Varnas.
- This system was based on birth.
The Caste System of Persia
The caste system of Persia, much like that of India, consisted of four varnas:
(i) Horsemen and the ruling class
(ii) Astronomers and other scientists
(iii) Monks, ritual priests, and physicians
(iv) Farmers and artisans
- In the caste system of Persia, one’s *varna* was determined by their occupation.
- In contrast, India’s caste system was based on birth.
- Al-Biruni sought to demonstrate that these social classes were not confined solely to India, but existed in other countries as well.
Ibn Battuta
- Ibn Battuta was an Arab traveler, scholar, and writer.
- His full name was “Muhammad bin Abdullah Ibn Battuta.”
- He was born in Tangier, a city located in the country of Morocco on the African continent.
- Ibn Battuta was one of the greatest Muslim travelers.
- He traveled to Iraq, Mecca, Syria, Yemen, Oman, and other places.
- He came to Delhi to meet the Sultan of Delhi, Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
- Deeply impressed by Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s knowledge, the Sultan appointed him as a Qazi (Judge) in his kingdom. He authored a book titled *Rihla*.
Ibn Battuta's Travel Challenges
- Ibn Battuta undertook his travels in the fourteenth century—a time when traveling was a far more difficult and perilous undertaking than it is today.
- Various types of hardships frequently disrupted these journeys.
- Travelers faced the constant threat of thieves, bandits, pirates, wild animals, and disease; moreover, modern means of transportation were entirely non-existent.
- According to Ibn Battuta, the journey from Multan to Delhi took forty days, while the journey from Sindh to Delhi required approximately fifty days.
- The distance between Daulatabad and Delhi could be covered in forty days, whereas the distance from Gwalior to Delhi could be traversed in just ten days.
- While he was en route from Multan to Delhi, bandits attacked his caravan; Ibn Battuta was severely wounded, and the bandits murdered several of his fellow travelers.
Some Key Highlights Described in the "Rihla"
Slavery
- According to Ibn Battuta, slaves were sold openly in the markets just like any other commodity and were regularly given as gifts.
- Ibn Battuta’s account suggests that there was considerable differentiation among slaves.
- Some female slaves in the service of the Sultan were skilled in music and singing. The Sultan also employed female slaves to keep a watch on his nobles.
- Slaves were generally utilized primarily for domestic labor.
- The price of slaves—particularly that of female slaves required for domestic work—was very low.
François Bernier
François Bernier was born in France in 1620.
He was a philosopher, historian, political theorist, and physician.
He came to India in search of opportunities; at that time, India was under Mughal rule.
He lived in India from 1656 to 1668.
Bernier traveled across the entire country.
During this period, he wrote a book titled “Travels in the Mughal Empire”.
Some key points written in "Travels in the Mughal Empire"
Land Ownership
- According to Bernier, there was an absence of private land ownership in India. He regarded state ownership of land as detrimental to both the state and its inhabitants.
- It appeared to Bernier that absolute rights over the land rested with the Emperor, who distributed it among his nobles. Consequently, this had a deleterious effect on the economy and society.
- According to Bernier, landowners could not bequeath their land to their children. Therefore, they remained indifferent toward investing in the maintenance and enhancement of production levels.
- The absence of private ownership hindered the emergence of a class of better landowners—those who would have been attentive to the upkeep and improvement of the land.
- The lack of private land ownership resulted in the ruin of agriculture, the oppression of the peasantry, and a decline in the standard of living for all sections of society.
tradition of Sati
- François Bernier chose to provide a detailed account of the practice of Sati.
- He wrote that while some women embraced death willingly, others were compelled to die.
- According to Bernier, this was a cruel practice in which, upon the death of her husband, a widow was offered as a living sacrifice to the flames; Brahmins and the elder women of the household also participated in this process.
- The hands and feet of the widow about to commit Sati were bound to ensure she could not escape from the cremation site.
ncert Class 12 History Chapter 5 Notes
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