Ibn Battuta

The Arab equivalent of Marco Polo, Sheikh Ibn Battuta (1304-77) set out as a young man on a pilgrimage to Mecca that ended 27 years and 75,000 miles later. The only medieval traveler known to have visited the lands of every Muslim ruler of his time, Ibn Battuta was born into a family of highly respected religious judges and educated as a theologian. Leaving his native city of Tangier in 1326, he traveled -- over the next several years -- to East Africa, Byzantium, Iraq, southern Russia, India, Ceylon, and China. His account of the journey, dictated on his return, not only provides vivid accounts of an odyssey that took him to exotic lands, but also describes in great detail Muslim maritime activities in the Middle and Far East, fascinating elements of foreign architecture, and agricultural activities of diverse cultures. A rare and important work covering the geography and history of the medieval Arab world, this primary sourcebook will be welcomed by students and scholars for its inherent historical value.

In this travelogue, the famous Moroccan explorer Ibn Battuta recounts his incredible journey through Asia and Africa in the 14th century. From his encounters with kings and sultans to his treks across mountains and deserts, this epic tale will transport you to a time and place that is as exotic as it is long-forgotten. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

l'origine simple p lerin berb re, musulman coutumier, Ibn Batt ta profite de la place occup e par l'Islam et la langue arabe qui facilit rent grandement ses d placements. Il profite galement du d veloppement du commerce puisqu'il se joint souvent des caravanes, ou embarque sur des vaisseaux marchands musulmans. Il rencontre de nombreuses personnalit s et devient souvent leur conseiller lors de ses p riples rallonge. On peut distinguer quatre p riodes dans ces voyages: (1) 1325-1327: premier p lerinage La Mecque (le hajj) par le Maghreb, exploration de la vall e du Nil, de la Syrie, de l'Irak et des villes d'Iran; (2) 1328-1330: deuxi me p lerinage La Mecque en passant par les c tes du sud de la p ninsule arabique jusqu' Kilwa kisiwani et sur les c tes africaines de culture swahilie; (3) 1330-1346: troisi me p lerinage La Mecque, exploration de la Turquie, la mer Noire, l'Asie centrale, l'Inde, Ceylan, Sumatra, la Malaisie et la Chine jusqu' P kin; (4) 1349-1354: travers e du Sahara jusqu'au Mali.

The era in which Ibn Battuta traveled to the East was exciting but turbulent, cursed by the Black Plague and the fall of mighty dynasties. His account provides a first-hand account of increased globalisation due to the rise of Islam, as well as the relationship between the Western world and India and China in the 14th century. There are insights into the complex power dynamics of the time, as well a personal glimpse of the author’s life as he sought to survive them, always staying on the move. The Ri?la contains great value as a historical document, but also for its religious commentary, especially regarding the marvels and miracles that Ibn Battuta encountered. It is also an entertaining narrative with a wealth of anecdotes, often humorous or shocking, and in many cases touchingly human. The book records the journey of Ibn Battuta, a Moroccan jurist who travels to the East, operating at high levels of government within the vibrant Muslim network of India and China. It offers fascinating details into the cultures and dynamics of that region, but goes beyond other travelogues due to the dramatic narrative of its author – tragedies and wonders fill its pages – shared for the greater glory of Allah and the edification of its contemporary audience in the West.

The era in which Ibn Battuta traveled to the East was exciting but turbulent, cursed by the Black Plague and the fall of mighty dynasties. His account provides a first-hand account of increased globalisation due to the rise of Islam, as well as the relationship between the Western world and India and China in the 14th century. There are insights into the complex power dynamics of the time, as well a personal glimpse of the author’s life as he sought to survive them, always staying on the move. The Ri?la contains great value as a historical document, but also for its religious commentary, especially regarding the marvels and miracles that Ibn Battuta encountered. It is also an entertaining narrative with a wealth of anecdotes, often humorous or shocking, and in many cases touchingly human. The book records the journey of Ibn Battuta, a Moroccan jurist who travels to the East, operating at high levels of government within the vibrant Muslim network of India and China. It offers fascinating details into the cultures and dynamics of that region, but goes beyond other travelogues due to the dramatic narrative of its author – tragedies and wonders fill its pages – shared for the greater glory of Allah and the edification of its contemporary audience in the West.

'One of the most fascinating travel books of all time' Times Literary Supplement 'He could not have been more 'modern' if he had been born in the twentieth century' Evening Standard Ibn Battuta was the only medieval traveller who is known to have visited the lands of every Muhammadan ruler of his time and the extent of his journeys is estimated to be at least 75,000 miles. His work presents a descriptive account of Muhammadan society in the second quarter of the fourteenth century, which illustrates, among other things, how wide the sphere of influence of the Muslim merchants was. Ibn Battuta's interest in places was subordinate to his interest in people and his geographical knowledge was gained entirely from personal experience. For his details he relied exclusively on his memory, cultivated by the system of a theological education. This edition, translated afresh from the Arabic text, provides extensive notes which enable the journeys to be followed in detail. Important historical and religious background to the Travels is also added by H. A. R. Gibb.

'One of the most fascinating travel books of all time' Times Literary Supplement 'He could not have been more 'modern' if he had been born in the twentieth century' Evening Standard Ibn Battuta was the only medieval traveller who is known to have visited the lands of every Muhammadan ruler of his time and the extent of his journeys is estimated to be at least 75,000 miles. His work presents a descriptive account of Muhammadan society in the second quarter of the fourteenth century, which illustrates, among other things, how wide the sphere of influence of the Muslim merchants was. Ibn Battuta's interest in places was subordinate to his interest in people and his geographical knowledge was gained entirely from personal experience. For his details he relied exclusively on his memory, cultivated by the system of a theological education. This edition, translated afresh from the Arabic text, provides extensive notes which enable the journeys to be followed in detail. Important historical and religious background to the Travels is also added by H. A. R. Gibb.

Ibn Batt ta was a geographer and traveller who spent decades roaming distant lands; these are his journeys, translated to English by celebrated scholar H. A. R. Gibb. Travelling in the 14th century, Ibn Batt ta details a variety of world cultures and regions. Originally born in Morocco, the author traversed the Middle East, Spain, Africa, and vast swathes of Asia including India, Southeast Asia and China. In doing so, he met several local rulers, to whom he described his quest to explore and record his sights. Some of his hosts were generous, others not so, and a few even sought to betroth Batt ta. At times in danger from bandits or militaries, at times marveling at the ancient cities and cultural majesties of nations, Ibn Batt ta was an adventurer and writer of supreme capacity. Darker themes however also emerge; the shocking toll of the Black Death in 1347 - 1351 is related in somber detail. Modern scholars, while acknowledging Ibn Batt ta's contribution to understandings of Medieval cultures, consider some of his journeys to be exaggerated or fabricated. The differences in tone between parts of the text - at times intimately anecdotal, at times brief, detached or scholarly - are cited in support of these ideas. Despite the doubts surrounding his journeys, Batt ta remains a source cited by historians and a significant figure in history.

Ibn Batt ta was a geographer and traveller who spent decades roaming distant lands; these are his journeys, translated to English by celebrated scholar H. A. R. Gibb. Travelling in the 14th century, Ibn Batt ta details a variety of world cultures and regions. Originally born in Morocco, the author traversed the Middle East, Spain, Africa, and vast swathes of Asia including India, Southeast Asia and China. In doing so, he met several local rulers, to whom he described his quest to explore and record his sights. Some of his hosts were generous, others not so, and a few even sought to betroth Batt ta. At times in danger from bandits or militaries, at times marveling at the ancient cities and cultural majesties of nations, Ibn Batt ta was an adventurer and writer of supreme capacity. Darker themes however also emerge; the shocking toll of the Black Death in 1347-1351 is related in somber detail. Modern scholars, while acknowledging Ibn Batt ta's contribution to understandings of Medieval cultures, consider some of his journeys to be exaggerated or fabricated. The differences in tone between parts of the text - at times intimately anecdotal, at times brief, detached or scholarly - are cited in support of these ideas. Despite the doubts surrounding his journeys, Batt ta remains a source cited by historians and a significant figure in history.