Compare and contrast the perspectives from which Ibn Battuta and Bernier wrote their accounts of their travels in India.
Both have written them accounts in their different prospectives. While Ibn Battuta describe everything that impressed and excited him because of his novelty, Bernier had followed a different intellectual tradition. He wrote whatever he saw in India.
Bernier wanted to pin point the weakness of the Indian society and considered the Mughal India Inferior to European society. In his description Ibn Battuta recorded his observation about new culture, people, believes and values.
On an outline map of the world, mark the countries visited by Ibn Battuta. What are the seas that he might have crossed?
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.
Read this excerpt from Bernier:
List the crafts mentioned in the passage. Compare these with the descriptions of artisanal activity in the chapter.
Discuss the extent to which Bernier’s accounts enables historians to reconstruct contemporary rural society.
Compare and contrast the perspectives from which Ibn Battuta and Bernier wrote their accounts of their travels in India.