Ibn Battuta, a Moroccan explorer and scholar, embarked on a 30-year journey across the Islamic world and beyond, visiting over 40 modern countries. His travels from Morocco to Mecca and across Asia are documented in his travelogue, the Rihla, which offers invaluable insights into medieval societies, cultures, and geography.
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Ibn Battuta was born in 1304 in Tangier, Morocco and was educated in Islamic jurisprudence
Pilgrimage to Mecca
At 21, Ibn Battuta embarked on a pilgrimage to Mecca, which sparked his desire for adventure
Ibn Battuta aimed to become a Qadi, or judge, in the Islamic world
In 1325, Ibn Battuta embarked on his first pilgrimage to Mecca, traveling through the Maghreb and Egypt
Syria and Palestine
After completing his pilgrimage, Ibn Battuta explored the Near East, including Syria and Palestine
Mongol-controlled Persian Territory
Ibn Battuta also ventured into Mongol-controlled Persian territory during his travels
Ibn Battuta traveled down the Swahili Coast, visiting trade centers such as Kilwa in present-day Tanzania
Around 1333, Ibn Battuta arrived in India and secured a position as a Qadi at the court of Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq in Delhi
Yuan Dynasty in China
Ibn Battuta traveled to areas under the rule of the Yuan Dynasty in China during his Asian travels
Throughout his travels in Asia, Ibn Battuta benefited from the widespread influence of Islam, which facilitated his journeys and interactions
In 1349, Ibn Battuta returned to Morocco and discovered that his parents had died
Ibn Battuta briefly traveled through the Iberian Peninsula and witnessed the struggles of the Muslim kingdom of Granada against Christian forces
The Moroccan Sultan Abu Inan Faris commissioned Ibn Battuta to record his travel experiences, resulting in the monumental work, the Rihla
Ibn Battuta's detailed observations and writings have solidified his status as one of history's most renowned travelers and continue to provide valuable insights into the 14th-century world