Ibn Battuta is a renowned Moroccan explorer who traveled extensively during the medieval era. His travels spanned over three decades and took him to various parts of the world. In this article, we will explore the different places that Ibn Battuta visited during his lifetime.
Early Life
Born in Tangier, Morocco in 1304, Ibn Battuta grew up in a family of legal scholars. He received an education in Islamic law and jurisprudence at an early age and eventually became a qadi or judge.
First Journey
In 1325, Ibn Battuta set out on his first journey to perform Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca that all Muslims are required to undertake at least once in their lifetime. However, unlike most pilgrims who returned home after completing the pilgrimage, Ibn Battuta continued traveling.
North Africa
Ibn Battuta traveled across North Africa visiting cities such as Tunis, Tripoli, and Cairo before reaching Mecca. He spent several months in Mecca studying Islamic law before continuing his journey.
The Middle East
From Mecca, Ibn Battuta traveled to Iraq and Iran where he visited cities such as Baghdad and Isfahan. He then continued on to Central Asia where he visited Samarkand and Bukhara.
India
After traveling through Central Asia, Ibn Battuta arrived in India where he spent several years traveling from city to city. He visited Delhi, Agra, and Calicut among other cities.
Second Journey
In 1330, Ibn Battuta embarked on his second journey which took him across the Arabian Peninsula and into East Africa.
The Arabian Peninsula
Ibn Battuta traveled across the Arabian Peninsula visiting cities such as Muscat and Hormuz before arriving in Baghdad.
East Africa
From Baghdad, Ibn Battuta traveled to the East African coast where he visited several cities including Mogadishu, Malindi, and Kilwa. He spent several years in East Africa before returning to Morocco.
Third Journey
In 1336, Ibn Battuta set out on his third journey which took him to Asia and Europe.
Asia
Ibn Battuta traveled across Asia visiting cities such as Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, and Samarkand. He also visited India for a second time.
Europe
From Asia, Ibn Battuta traveled to Europe where he visited cities such as Granada and Fez. He eventually returned to Morocco in 1349 after more than 24 years of traveling.
Legacy
Ibn Battuta’s travels were documented in his book “Rihla” or “The Journey”. The book provides a detailed account of his travels and is considered one of the most important travelogues in history. Ibn Battuta’s travels also contributed to our understanding of the medieval world and its cultures.
- In conclusion,
- Ibn Battuta was a well-traveled explorer who visited various parts of the world during the medieval era. His travels have left a lasting impact on history and have contributed greatly to our understanding of different cultures.