Ibn Battuta
#IbnBattuta
Ibn Battuta (Arabic: ابن بطوطة, Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Battuta, 1304–1368/69) was a Moroccan scholar, jurist, and legendary traveler who journeyed across the known Islamic world and beyond in the 14th century.
His travels spanned over 120,000 kilometers (75,000 miles) — more than Marco Polo — making him one of the greatest explorers in human history.
Basic Profile
Attribute Details
Full Name Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Battuta
Birth 1304, Tangier, Morocco
Death 1368 or 1369, likely in Fez, Morocco
Profession Islamic jurist (Maliki school), traveler, diplomat
Language Arabic
Religion Sunni Islam
Famous Work Rihla (الرحلة – “The Journey”)
#SunniIslam
#Rhila
Travels: Overview
Between 1325 and 1354 (29 years), Ibn Battuta visited much of:
Region Countries/Empires Visited
North Africa Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt
Middle East Mecca, Medina, Iraq, Persia, Jerusalem
East Africa Somalia, Swahili Coast, Kilwa
Central Asia Iran, Afghanistan, Khwarezm
South Asia India (Delhi Sultanate), Maldives, Sri Lanka
Southeast Asia Sumatra (Indonesia), possibly parts of Malaysia
China Yuan Dynasty cities: Quanzhou, Hangzhou, maybe Beijing
West Africa Mali Empire: Timbuktu, Gao
Byzantine Empire Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul)
Key Experiences
• Hajj to Mecca: His journey began as a pilgrimage at age 21, but he kept going.
• Delhi Sultanate: Appointed Qadi (Islamic judge) by Sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq.
• Maldives: Briefly served as a government advisor and judge.
• China: Claimed to reach Yuan China; he visited several cities, though modern scholars debate how far inland he went.
• Mali Empire: One of the few medieval Muslim travelers to describe West African Islamic societies.
The Rihla (“The Journey”)
Dictated to Ibn Juzayy, a scholar in Fez, around 1355–1356.
Combines detailed descriptions, Islamic legal commentary, geography, and personal anecdotes.
One of the most important sources for medieval Islamic geography and culture.
Title: “A Gift to Those Who Contemplate the Wonders of Cities and the Marvels of Traveling” (Tuhfat al-Nuzzar fi Ghara’ib al-Amsar wa Aja’ib al-Asfar)
Importance and Legacy
Area Contribution
Historical Geography First-hand accounts of 14th-century Islamic world and beyond
Islamic Scholarship Reflections on religious practices in diverse cultures
Cultural Bridge Described East Africa, India, China, and Mali to Arab readers
Exploration One of the greatest pre-modern travelers
His work is not always 100% accurate — some parts are believed to be exaggerated or second-hand — but it remains a priceless medieval record.
Memorials & Modern Recognition
Featured in UNESCO studies and world history curricula.
Airports, schools, and streets in Morocco and elsewhere named after him.
A shopping mall in Dubai is named “Ibn Battuta Mall” with travel-themed sections.
Inspired travel literature, documentaries, and dramatizations.
Summary
Topic Details
Who Ibn Battuta: Moroccan traveler & scholar
What Traveled 120,000+ km across Afro-Eurasia
When 1325–1354 (29 years)
Where From Morocco to China and Mali
Legacy Rihla, deep insights into medieval Islamic world
#Morrocco
