Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following views is NOT represented in Bernier's account?
Which of the following views is NOT represented in Bernier's account?
According to the passage, how did Bernier represent Indian society in contrast to European society?
According to the passage, how did Bernier represent Indian society in contrast to European society?
The concept of 'oriental despotism' was developed by drawing on which traveller's account?
The concept of 'oriental despotism' was developed by drawing on which traveller's account?
According to the passage, which of these statements about Mughal cities is INCORRECT?
According to the passage, which of these statements about Mughal cities is INCORRECT?
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What was the perspective of European travellers like Bernier on Indian women?
What was the perspective of European travellers like Bernier on Indian women?
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Which of these is NOT a feature of Ibn Battuta's description of Indian cities?
Which of these is NOT a feature of Ibn Battuta's description of Indian cities?
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Which of the following best describes one of the reasons for Al-Biruni's travels to India?
Which of the following best describes one of the reasons for Al-Biruni's travels to India?
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Based on the passage, what was Al-Biruni's primary approach in each chapter of the Kitab-ul-Hind?
Based on the passage, what was Al-Biruni's primary approach in each chapter of the Kitab-ul-Hind?
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Which of the following was NOT mentioned as a 'barrier' to understanding Indian society in Al-Biruni's work?
Which of the following was NOT mentioned as a 'barrier' to understanding Indian society in Al-Biruni's work?
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According to Ibn Battuta, what is one FALSE statement about Indian cities?
According to Ibn Battuta, what is one FALSE statement about Indian cities?
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What was Ibn Battuta's impression of the imperial postal system in India?
What was Ibn Battuta's impression of the imperial postal system in India?
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In Al-Biruni's work, what did he NOT aim to do during his travels in India?
In Al-Biruni's work, what did he NOT aim to do during his travels in India?
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Study Notes
Al-Biruni's Travels to India
- Al-Biruni traveled to India to study Sanskrit texts and learn from Brahmin scholars
- He was interested in comparing Indian society with other societies
Al-Biruni's Approach in the Kitab-ul-Hind
- He started each chapter with a question, described based on Sanskrit texts, and compared with other cultures
Barriers to Understanding Indian Society
- Al-Biruni cited difference in religious beliefs, insularity of local population, and language differences as barriers to understanding Indian society
- Lack of historical documentation was also a barrier
Ibn Battuta's Impressions of Indian Cities
- Ibn Battuta found Indian cities to have crowded streets, prosperous markets, and spaces for public performances like music and dance
- He noted that Indian cities derived wealth from appropriation of rural surplus
- He did not find that Indian cities existed entirely due to imperial patronage
Ibn Battuta's Impression of the Imperial Postal System
- Ibn Battuta found the imperial postal system in India to be highly sophisticated and efficient
Features of Indian Cities According to Ibn Battuta
- Ibn Battuta described Indian cities as having detailed accounts of their architectural grandeur, prosperous merchant communities engaged in long-distance trade, crowded markets and bazaars, and spaces for musical and dance performances
Bernier's Critique of Mughal Land Ownership
- Bernier believed that the Mughal claim to ownership over all land led to a lack of incentive for agricultural investment, decline of manufacturing, and uniform ruination of agriculture
- Bernier did not believe that the Mughal system led to the emergence of a class of improving landlords
Bernier's Perspective on Indian Society
- Bernier represented Indian society as lacking a middle class, with widespread poverty among peasantry, and without a highly sophisticated manufacturing sector
- Bernier believed in the virtues of private property and was apprehensive about the formation of an aristocratic class
- Bernier contrasted Mughal India with contemporary Europe and promoted the idea of an investor landowner class
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Description
Test your knowledge with 30 challenging multiple-choice questions based on the passage. Questions cover topics such as the reasons for Al-Biruni's travels to India and his approach in each chapter of the Kitab-ul-Hind.
