Discuss Al-Biruni’s understanding of the caste system.
Al-Biruni’s description about caste system as he understood. Al-Biruni tried to explain the caste system by looking far parallels in other societies. He described that in ancient Persia, four social categories were recognised.
(i)knight and princes.
(ii)monks
(iii)fire-priests and lawyers; physicians, astronomers, other scientists;
(iv)Finally, peasants and artisans. He attempted to suggest that social divisions were not unique to India.
His description of the caste system in India was deeply influenced by his study of Sanskrit texts. According to these texts, the highest castes were the Brahmins as they were created from the head of the Brahmins.
The Kshatriyas were the next caste created from the shoulders and hands of the Brahmin. The Vaishyas and Shudras were created from the thighs and feet of the Brahmin respectively.
Thus, he sought to understand the Indian caste system by looking for parallels in other societies. Nothing that ancient Persian society was divided into four categories he realized that social division was not unique to India.
But despite accepting the caste system he was against the notion of pollution. He believed that according to the laws of nature anything which becomes impure ultimately becomes pure again, e.g. the sun clears the air. The concept of social pollution is the bedrock of the caste system. Thus, the caste system was according to him contrary to the laws of nature.
He failed to realize that the caste system was not as rigid as portrayed in the Sanskrit texts.
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.