NCERT Solutions Class 12 History 

Chapter 5: Through the Eyes of Travellers
Perceptions of Society (c. tenth to seventeenth centuries)

Q. No. 1
Question: Write a note on the Kitab-ul-Hind.
Answer:
The Kitab-ul-Hind was written by Al-Biruni in Arabic and is a remarkable
study of India during the 11th century. The text, divided into 80 chapters,
covers a wide range of subjects including religion, philosophy, festivals,
astronomy, and social life. Al-Biruni structured the chapters by first asking a
question, then describing Hindu traditions, and finally comparing these with
other cultures. His work remains an important source for understanding Indian
society and culture during his time.

Q. No. 2
Question: Compare and contrast the perspectives from which Ibn Battuta
and Bernier wrote their accounts of their travels in India.
Answer:
Ibn Battuta, who traveled through India in the 14th century, wrote his accounts
from a perspective of fascination, describing in detail the cities, markets,
and the cultural diversity he encountered. His narratives highlighted the
vibrant and bustling urban life, reflecting the cosmopolitan nature of Indian
cities. On the other hand, François Bernier, a 17th-century French traveler,
viewed Indian society through the lens of European superiority. His writings
were critical, especially when comparing India’s political and social systems
with those of Europe, often emphasizing the perceived stagnation and oppression
in India.

Q. No. 3
Question: Discuss the picture of urban centres that emerges from
Bernier’s account.
Answer:
François Bernier’s account presents Indian urban centers as dependent on the
Mughal Empire’s administrative and military apparatus. He described the cities
as “camp towns” that thrived when the imperial court was in residence
but declined once the court moved on. Bernier was also critical of the absence
of private property in India, which he believed hindered economic growth.
Despite these negative portrayals, he acknowledged the prosperity brought by
trade and the skills of Indian artisans, whose crafts were highly valued in
global markets.

Q. No. 4
Question: Analyse the evidence for slavery provided by Ibn Battuta.
Answer:
Ibn Battuta’s account offers insights into the prevalence of slavery in 14th-century
India. Slaves were a common commodity, often exchanged as gifts by rulers and
nobles. Female slaves were employed in various domestic roles and some were
trained in music and dance for the entertainment of the elite. Battuta also
highlighted the role of slaves in the Sultan’s service, particularly their use
in surveillance over nobles and their involvement in carrying palanquins for
their masters. The account reflects a hierarchical society where slaves played
integral roles in the domestic and political spheres.

Q. No. 5
Question: What were the elements of the practice of sati that drew the
attention of Bernier?
Answer:
François Bernier was particularly disturbed by the practice of sati, which he
described in graphic detail. He noted that while some widows seemed to embrace
death willingly, others were forced into the ritual against their will. Bernier
recounted witnessing the burning of a young widow who appeared to be no older
than twelve, clearly frightened and unwilling. The coercive aspect of the
practice, along with its ritualistic nature, fascinated and horrified Bernier,
who saw it as a sign of barbarism and a significant marker of cultural
difference between East and West.

Essay
Questions:

Q. No. 6
Question: Discuss Al-Biruni’s understanding of the caste system.
(250-300 words)
Answer:
Al-Biruni’s understanding of the caste system in India was shaped by his study
of Sanskrit texts. He compared the caste system to social divisions in other
cultures, such as ancient Persia, where society was also divided into
hierarchical groups. According to Al-Biruni, Indian society was divided into
four varnas: Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. The Brahmanas were
seen as the highest caste, created from the head of Brahman, and were considered
the best of mankind. The Kshatriyas were formed from the shoulders, the
Vaishyas from the thighs, and the Shudras from the feet. While Al-Biruni
accepted these divisions as normative, he criticized the idea of pollution
associated with the caste system, seeing it as unnatural and contrary to the
laws of nature. He disapproved of the rigid social stratification, especially
the notion that impurity could permanently affect individuals. Despite his
critiques, Al-Biruni’s account was deeply influenced by the Brahmanical
perspective, as he relied heavily on Sanskrit texts, which provided a top-down
view of society. His writings suggest that while he understood the theoretical
framework of the caste system, he may not have fully grasped its complexities
and variations in practice.

Q. No. 7
Question: Do you think Ibn Battuta’s account is useful in arriving at an
understanding of life in contemporary urban centres? Give reasons for your
answer. (250-300 words)
Answer:
Ibn Battuta’s account is a valuable resource for understanding life in
contemporary urban centers during the 14th century. His detailed descriptions
of the cities he visited, such as Delhi and Daulatabad, offer insights into
their economic, social, and cultural dynamics. He portrayed these cities as
bustling hubs of commerce and trade, with vibrant markets filled with a wide
array of goods. His observations of the cosmopolitan nature of these cities,
where people from different regions and cultures interacted, provide a glimpse
into the global connections that linked India to other parts of the world. Ibn
Battuta also highlighted the role of merchants and the importance of trade in
sustaining urban prosperity. Furthermore, his account of the postal system and
the infrastructure supporting long-distance communication demonstrates the
efficiency of administrative networks. However, his narrative is not without
limitations. As an outsider, Battuta may have misunderstood certain cultural
practices or overemphasized the exotic aspects of Indian life to appeal to his
audience. Despite this, his account remains a crucial historical source for
understanding urban life, offering a unique perspective on the complexities of
Indian cities during the medieval period.

Q. No. 8
Question: Discuss the extent to which Bernier’s account enables
historians to reconstruct contemporary rural society. (250-300 words)
Answer:
Bernier’s account provides valuable, though somewhat biased, insights into
contemporary rural society in Mughal India. He emphasized the vast disparity
between the ruling elite and the impoverished peasantry, portraying the rural
population as living in misery under oppressive rulers. According to Bernier,
the emperor and his nobles owned all the land, which led to a lack of private
property and discouraged agricultural investment. This, he argued, caused
widespread poverty, underdeveloped agriculture, and ruined villages. While his
observations about the unequal distribution of wealth and the hardships of
peasants are important, they reflect his European perspective and his belief in
the superiority of European institutions, especially the concept of private
land ownership.

However,
Bernier’s description of rural society is limited, as he primarily focused on
the negatives. He often ignored the complexities of rural life, including the
roles of local elites like the zamindars, who held considerable power and land.
Moreover, his sweeping generalizations did not account for the regional
variations in agriculture and social structures across the subcontinent.
Despite these limitations, Bernier’s account is a useful source for
understanding certain aspects of rural life, such as the relationship between
landholders and peasants, the role of the state, and the impact of Mughal policies
on agriculture. Historians, however, must compare his writings with other
sources to gain a more nuanced understanding of rural society during this
period.

Q. No. 9
Question: List the crafts mentioned in the passage. Compare these with
the descriptions of artisanal activity in the chapter. (Short Essay – 250-300
words)
Answer:
In the passage, Bernier mentions several crafts practiced by Indian artisans,
including the production of muskets, fowling pieces, gold ornaments, and
beautiful paintings. He admired the skill and craftsmanship of Indian artisans,
noting that they could replicate European products so perfectly that it was
difficult to distinguish between the original and the copy. Additionally, he
highlighted the artisans’ ability to work without advanced tools or formal
instruction, emphasizing their natural dexterity and innovation.

When comparing
this with the descriptions of artisanal activity in the chapter, we find that
Bernier’s observations align with other accounts of Mughal-era artisans. The
imperial karkhanas (workshops) employed artisans skilled in various crafts,
including embroidery, lacquer work, painting, and the production of luxury
textiles like brocade and muslin. These artisans produced goods not only for
the domestic market but also for international trade, with Indian textiles and
crafts being highly valued in foreign markets.

Bernier’s
account, however, reflects a somewhat static view of artisanal life, suggesting
that artisans lacked the motivation to innovate or improve their conditions. In
contrast, historical evidence suggests that artisanal production in India was
dynamic, with innovations in techniques and the introduction of new materials
and designs, particularly in response to growing demand from both domestic and
international markets. Therefore, while Bernier provides a valuable snapshot of
artisanal activity, his portrayal must be contextualized within the broader
economic and social landscape of the time.

Map Work
Q. No. 10
Question: On an outline map of the world mark the countries visited by
Ibn Battuta. What are the seas that he may have crossed?
Answer:
To mark the countries visited by Ibn Battuta on a world map, you would include
the following:

• Morocco (his birthplace, Tangier)
• Egypt
• Syria
• Iraq
• Persia (modern-day Iran)
• Yemen
• Oman
• East Africa (several trading ports)
• India (Sind, Delhi, and various cities)
• Maldives
• Sri Lanka
• China (Quanzhou, and as far as Beijing)
• Sumatra

The seas Ibn
Battuta may have crossed include:

• The Mediterranean Sea
• The Red Sea
• The Arabian Sea
• The Indian Ocean
• The South China Sea

Project:
(Choose one)
Q. No. 11
Question: Interview any one of your older relatives
(mother/father/grandparents/uncles/aunts) who has travelled outside your town
or village. Find out (a) where they went, (b) how they travelled, (c) how long
did it take, (d) why did they travel (e) and did they face any difficulties.
List as many similarities and differences that they may have noticed between
their place of residence and the place they visited, focusing on language,
clothes, food, customs, buildings, roads, the lives of men and women. Write a
report on your findings.
Answer:
This is a research-based question where you will conduct an interview with a
relative. Once you collect the information, your report should focus on the
comparisons your relative observed between their hometown and the place they
visited in terms of language, food, customs, and more. The report should
include a reflection on how travel has changed over time and highlight any
specific challenges your relative faced during their journey.

Q. No. 12
Question: For any one of the travellers mentioned in the chapter, find
out more about his life and writings. Prepare a report on his travels, noting
in particular how he described society, and comparing these descriptions with
the excerpts included in the chapter.
Answer:
This project requires additional research. Choose a traveller like Ibn Battuta
or François Bernier and gather more detailed information about their life,
travels, and writings. Your report should explore their perspective on the
societies they visited, their interactions with locals, and their observations
about political, social, and cultural practices. You should then compare your
findings with the excerpts from their writings provided in the chapter,
identifying similarities and differences.