Ibn Battuta
Ibn Battuta was a 14th-century Muslim traveler and scholar from Tangier, in present-day Morocco.
Ibn Battuta was a 14th-century Moroccan traveler and scholar. He spent about 30 years journeying across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, covering roughly 120,000 km.
Who was Ibn Battuta?
Ibn Battuta was born in Tangier, Morocco, on 24 February 1304. He was a Muslim scholar who left home in 1325 to perform the pilgrimage to Mecca, which sparked a lifetime of travel.
What were his travels?
Over nearly three decades, Ibn Battuta visited North and West Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, China, and parts of Europe. His journeys are estimated to have covered about 75,000 miles (120,000 km).
Why is his account significant?
Ibn Battuta dictated the Riḥlah, a celebrated travel narrative that provides detailed geographical, political, and cultural observations of the medieval world. It remains a key source for historians studying the 14th-century Islamic world and interregional contact.
In short
- Born in Tangier, Morocco, in 1304.
- Travelled about 75,000 miles (120,000 km) over 30 years.
- His travel narrative, the Riḥlah, offers valuable medieval insights.
- Visited much of the Islamic world, China, and parts of Europe.
Quick questions
Who was Ibn Battuta?
How far did Ibn Battuta travel?
What is the Riḥlah?
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ibn-BattutaSupports: Birthplace, birth/death dates, status as medieval Muslim traveler, Riḥlah, and travel distance.
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibn_BattutaSupports: Nationality description, travel timeline, and broad geographic scope of travels.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/summary/Ibn-BattutaSupports: Alternative full name, birthplace, death range, and summary of travels.
- World History Encyclopedia — https://www.worldhistory.org/Ibn_Battuta/Supports: Travel duration, approximate distance, and breadth of regions visited.
- UC Berkeley ORIAS — https://orias.berkeley.edu/resources-teachers/travels-ibn-battutaSupports: Start of travels in 1325, pilgrimage to Mecca, duration, and Riḥlah title context.
- BBC Bitesize — https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z6jphcwSupports: General identification as an explorer and regions visited.