In 1325, Ibn Battuta, a 21-year-old jurist, left his home in Tangier on a

Hajj, to Mecca as all good Muslims should do (p1). It was 29 years before he arrived home

again, after travelling further than any known traveller before him: from Mali to China, from

Russia to Zanzibar, with his years as legal adviser to the Sultan of Delhi the crowning

achievement of his career. His account of his journeys was written in old age entirely from

memory. Almost all that is known about Ibn Battuta's life comes from one source, Ibn Battuta

himself.

Ibn Battuta observes different customs through out his travels, especially the treatment of women. In many cases he is very critical of women having a high status or being able to meet ... Showed first 120 words of 765 Size (words) ...

... Continuing with another 115 out of 765 Size (words) ...Niger River basin. Ibn Battutah's description of Mali is an excellent example of his

keen eye: "in the trees of this forest which is Iwalatan and Mali, there are trees whose fruits are

like those of ......fruit like a plum which is very sweet and harmful to white men when they eat

it." (p40).

In India, he befriended the ruler of Delhi, Sultan Mohammed, and as a result became the

qadi (judge) of that city (p53). This is a post which he held for several years, before leaving to

China, disappearing to the Maldives en route and finally going back to his country, Morocco in

1353. He spent the rest of his life in his country. It was during this time, ...Essay still continues 100 more words...