BAL BHARATI PUBLIC SCHOOL GRH MARG
CLASS XII
HISTORY
ASSIGNMENT NO. - 5
TOPIC - Through the eye of the travellers
Perceptions of Society
(c.10th To 17th Century)
5.1
Introduction & Al-Biruni
Very Short Answer
1. Why do people travel?
2. How do travellers react to the differences they encounter in the new land?
3. What kind of account left by the traveller is used to reconstruct history of an area? OR how
do we know that the travellers recorded their observations on various subject matters? Give
example?
4. When and where did Al-Biruni came from?
5. When and where did Ibn Battuta came from?
6. When and where did Francois Bernier came from?
7. Why is it that traveller’s account gives us a better idea of the lives of common man than by
the indigenous writers? OR What was unique about the records and observations of these
foreign travellers?
8. When and where was Al-Biruni born?
9. Name different languages known to Al-Biruni? How expertise in different languages helped
Al-Biruni?
10. What do you know about Mahmud of Ghazni?
11. Give reason why Al-Biruni developed an interest in India?
12. In what respect Sanskrit was different from Arabic and Persian language?
13. Name the four social categories of ancient Persia as identified by Al-Biruni?
14. Who is antyaja? How were they treated in the Indian society?
Short Answer
1. Give a brief account of early life of Al-Biruni?
2. Name the book/ travelogue written by Al-Biruni on India? Give a brief description about it?
OR write a short note on kitab-ul-Hind?
3. What was the general style of presentation adopted by Al-Biruni in his chapters?
4. What were the major problems that Al-Biruni faced while he tried to understand India? OR
“There were several ‘barriers’ that obstructed the understanding of Al-Biruni’s
observations.”What were they?
5. “Were social division unique to India” Justify your answer with reference to Al-Biruni’s
observations of India?
6. “Social pollution which was intrinsic to caste system (of India), according to Al-Biruni. was
contrary to the laws of nature.” Give reason why?
Long Answer
1. Give an account of the work of Al-Biruni under following sub-heads:-early life, his travels/
how he came to India, his work, barriers/ problems he encountered,
2. Comment on the Al-Biruni’s observations of caste system in India? How was it similar to
Persian customs? Did he approve or disapprove of the system?
5.2 Ibn Battuta
Very Short Answer
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Write a short note on the book of travel written by Ibn Battuta?
What led Ibn-Battuta to travel to India? How was it different from that of Bernier?
Name the places visited by Ibn-Battuta?
Why did Ibn-batuta come to India? Name the book written by him?
What was the main theme of Ibn-Battuta’s writings?
Name writers who travelled to India between 1400-1800 and whose travelogues were in
Persian?
7. What are two plant product described by Ibn-Battuta which were unknown to his audience?
8. What was the source of prosperity of Indian towns according to Ibn Battuta and why?
9. What do you understand by the following terms:- uluq; dawa. What is their significance?
Short Answer
1. Give a brief account of early life of Ibn Battuta?
2. What do we infer about the rule of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, the sultan of Delhi, from the
writings of Ibn Battuta?
3. ‘Experience gained through travels is more important source of knowledge than books’
Justify this statement with reference to Ibn Battuta?
4. Give reason why travelling was insecure during fourteenth century? Or what are the
problems faced by Ibn-Battuta in his travels?
5. According to Ibn Battuta-‘India was well integrated with inter-Asian network of trade and
commerce.’ Explain.
6. What was the reason given by Ibn-Battuta for an efficient communication system?
7. Give a brief description of Abdur Razzaq visit to India in1440s?
8. What were Ibn Battuta’s observations on the condition of women and slaves?
Long Answer
1. Give an account of Ibn-Battuta’s take on Indian cities with special reference to Dehli and
Daulatabad?
5.3 Francois Bernier
Very Short Answer
1. Name some European travellers that came to India?
2. Write a brief description about life of Francois Bernier?
3. Give reason why Bernier’s work was much circulated than his counterparts work written in
Arabic and Persian language? What was its impact?
4. List some of the words/ phrases used by Bernier to describe conditions in India?
5. Give a brief account of travelogue of Francois Bernier?
6. What do you understand by the phrase ‘model of binary opposition’? Who gave it and in
what regard?
7. What was the main area of focus in Bernier’s writings and why?
8. How was Mughal India presented in Bernier’s writings?
9. What according to Bernier was the fundamental difference between Mughal India and
Europe?
10. Why according to Bernier Landholders were averse to any long-term investments in the
land?
11. How had Bernier described a complex social reality of the artisans under Mughal rule?
12. Name different type of towns that existed in India?
13. Name some of the professional groups that existed under Mughal rule?
14. Give reason why the lives of ordinary women workers did not attract much attention of
travellers such as Ibn Battuta and Bernier?
Short Answer
1. What was the main theme of Bernier’s writing? And Why?
2. What according to Bernier was the impact of absence of private property on Indian society?
3. Describe Mughal Empire as viewed by Bernier?
4. What was the take of Mughal official document on the issue of crown ownership of land as
viewed by the Europeans?
5. ‘Explain how the accounts of Ibn Battuta and Bernier provide us with tantalizing glimpses of
the life of Indian women during 16-17th century.
Long Answer
1. What observations were made by Bernier about the landownership in India? Do you agree
with his observations comment? OR Comment on the issue of crown ownership of land as
described by Bernier and by Mughal official document.
2. Explain the impact of Bernier’s writing on philosopher’s like-Montesquieu and Karl Marx?
3. Give an account of Bernier’s view on the urban centres and condition of trade in India? Can
we use his account to understand and study Indian trade &towns of 17 th century? give
reason for your answer?