Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c4.s2.t4.1.3

c4.s2.t4.1.3

About the middle of the century, in 1662, the learned Persian ambassador, ‘Abd-ur-Razzaq, came to the court of Vijayanagar. Nikitin and Stephano followed at the close of the century. During the early part of the 16th century came Varthema (1503-1508); Barbosa came about 1518, and the Turkish Admiral Sidi ‘Ali Reis at the close of our period (1553-1556). It would not be surprising if indefatigable search brings to light some fresh accounts of travellers to India.¹ By far the most learned of these travellers were Ibn Batuta ‘Abd-ur-Razzaq, and Sidi ‘Ali Reis.² The account of ‘Abd-ur-Razzaq is more or less confined to Vijayanagar and thus does not concern us directly. By far the best and the most complete account comes from Ibn Batuta. Before him, and even after him, nobody ventured so far island, stayed for such a long period, or gave an account of so many and varied social phenomena. His evidence is direct and personal; his experiences are so close and intimate; his opportunities of association are so wide and frequent; and finally, he dictates his observations thousands of miles away from the scene, in the security of his own native land, so that there is little likelihood of his concealing facts or misrepresenting them. His account is thus a life-like picture of the Hindustan of his day, where the traveller moves about as one of the Indians themselves. He marries in the country (as he did in so many others) and has children; he is in the employment of the State;