Ibn Batuta visited India under the reign of _____?

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

Ibn Battuta, a renowned Moroccan traveler, journeyed to India during the 14th century.
His visit coincided with the reign of the Tughlaq dynasty in the Delhi Sultanate.
Sultan Muhammad-Bin-Tughlaq was the ruler at the time, and he appointed Ibn Battuta as a Qazi (judge) in his court.
Ibn Battuta's detailed travelogue, the 'Rihla', is a crucial primary source for understanding this period of Indian history.

Option A: Devraya II was a ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire who reigned from 1422 to 1446 AD.
Option B: Krishnadeva Raya was the most powerful ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire, but his reign was from 1509 to 1529 AD, almost two centuries after Ibn Battuta's visit.
Option C: Devraya I also ruled the Vijayanagara Empire, with his reign lasting from 1406 to 1422 AD, which is significantly later than Ibn Battuta's time in India.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Medieval Indian History: Foreign Travelers and Ruling Dynasties as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the timelines of different dynasties and the accounts of foreign travelers is fundamental to reconstructing the history of medieval India.
The 'Rihla' is a primary source that offers a unique, external perspective on the administration, eccentric policies, and culture of the Tughlaq era, often contrasting with official court-sponsored chronicles.
What if the question asked which traveler visited the Vijayanagara Empire during the reign of Devraya II? The answer would be Abdur Razzaq, a Persian chronicler, highlighting the importance of matching specific travelers to specific rulers and time periods.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key historical figure in the question: the traveler Ibn Battuta.
The question requires you to place this figure in the correct historical context by identifying the Indian ruler during his visit.
Access your knowledge of medieval Indian history, focusing on the timelines of the Delhi Sultanate and other major kingdoms.
Recall or deduce the time period of Ibn Battuta's travels, which was the 14th century (specifically c. 1333-1342).
Evaluate the options by comparing their ruling periods with Ibn Battuta's timeline. Muhammad-Bin-Tughlaq ruled the Delhi Sultanate in the 14th century.
Recognize that the other three rulers (Devraya I, Devraya II, Krishnadeva Raya) belonged to the Vijayanagara Empire and ruled in the 15th and 16th centuries, making them chronologically incorrect.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.