Question

Who wrote the book, ‘Kitab-ul-Rihla’?
A. Marco Polo
B. Abdul Razzak
C. Al Beruni
D. Ibn Battuta

Answer 1

Hint: It was written in Arabic in the 14th century and talked about his travels. He travelled for 30 years, from 1304 to 1369 CE and documented his experience. He has written about flora in India, including the coconut and the betel leaf.

Complete answer: Let us go through the options-
Option A. Marco Polo was from Venice and was famous for the book he co-wrote, ‘Books of the Marvels of the World’, famously known as ‘The Travels of Marco Polo’ in English. He travelled for over 24 years, with his brother all over what later came to be called the Silk Road. This is the incorrect option as his knowledge was expansive about other locations in East Asia instead.
Option B. Abdul or Abdur Razzak Samarqandi was a Persian chronicler who had to travel unwillingly on the order of his ruler when he left Herat and was sent to Vijayanagara in 1440. His book was written a century after Ibn Battuta’s, hence it is the incorrect option due to differing timelines.
Option C. Al Beruni was an Iranian scholar and was taken to Ghazni where he lived for a majority of his life. His work was called, ‘Kitab-ul-hind’ and described 11th century India and hence is the incorrect option due to being relevant in separate time periods.
Option D. Ibn Battuta; The Morrocan traveller narrated his work to Ibn Juzzay, who compelled him to write this properly for the entertainment of his close associates.
Therefore, option D is correct.

Note: The etymology of the word ‘Rihla’ tells us that it essentially means a travelogue, hallmarked by Battuta. Another famous example would be the works of Muhammad as-Saffar in the 19th century who retold both observations and personal experiences.