Ibn Battuta's Rihla Part 1

12 Questions

What can be found in abundance in Cairo?

Madrasas and schools

What is the purpose of the special pass required for traveling between Egypt and Syria?

To ensure the safety of travelers and their goods

In which city did Ibn Battuta visit the Umayyad Mosque?

Damascus

What did Ibn Battuta do before starting his pilgrimage to Mecca?

He changed his clothes and took a bath

What is the characteristic of the people of Mecca mentioned in the text?

They are friendly to strangers and kind to the weak

What was the first stop on Ibn Battuta's journey after leaving Damascus?

Tabuk

What was Ibn Battuta's primary goal when he started his journey in 1325?

To visit the Holy House and the Tomb of the Prophet

Why did Ibn Battuta's group have to stop in Qabis for ten days?

It rained a lot

What did Ibn Battuta observe about the water-carriers in Cairo?

They used camels to carry water

Approximately how many boats were on the Nile River that belonged to the sultan and his people?

Thirty-six thousand

Where did Ibn Battuta start his journey from?

Tangier

What did Ibn Battuta write about when he returned to Tangier in 1355?

His adventures and experiences

Study Notes

Ibn Battuta's Life and Travel

Ibn Battuta was a famous explorer from Morocco who traveled to many places in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia in the 14th century.
He started his journey from Tangier on June 14, 1325, with the goal of visiting the Holy House in Mecca and the Tomb of the Prophet in Medina.

Journey to Tripoli

Ibn Battuta traveled with a group of people from Tunis in November 1325, passing through places like Susa, Sfax, and Qabis.
The group had to stop in Qabis for ten days due to heavy rain.
They were protected by horse riders and archers, who kept robbers away.

Cairo

Ibn Battuta visited Cairo, which he described as the "mother of all cities" and where Pharaoh lived.
Cairo had many water-carriers, around 12,000, who used camels to carry water.
There were approximately 30,000 people who rented out mules and donkeys.
The city had around 36,000 boats on the Nile that belonged to the sultan and his people.
Cairo had many madrasas (schools) and a special hospital called the Maristan, which was beautifully described.

Crossing the Border into Syria

At Qatya Station, people collected money from traders and checked their goods carefully.
The station had offices with workers, helpers, and writers, and made around 1,000 gold coins every day.
A special pass was required to cross the border from Egypt to Syria or from Syria to Egypt.

Damascus and Mecca

Ibn Battuta visited Damascus on the 9th day of Ramadan and described it as very pretty.
He visited the Umayyad Mosque, which he considered the most beautiful mosque he had ever seen.
He traveled to Mecca, changed his clothes, took a bath, and dressed in special clothes for the pilgrimage.
He praised the people of Mecca, who were nice to the humble and weak, and friendly to strangers.