MCQs: Through the Eyes of Travellers – Perceptions of Society

(Strictly as per NCERT | CBSE Class 12 Standard)

Section A: Travellers as Historical Sources

1. Why are foreign travellers’ accounts important for historians?
A. They are official government records
B. They provide an outsider’s view of society
C. They replace archaeological evidence
D. They focus only on political history

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Travellers’ accounts provide an external perspective on Indian society, customs, economy, and religion. They often describe aspects ignored in indigenous sources.

2. Why must travelogues be used with caution by historians?
A. They are written in difficult languages
B. They exaggerate events
C. They reflect personal and cultural bias
D. They lack chronological order

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Travellers interpreted Indian society through their own cultural background and beliefs, making their accounts subjective and sometimes biased.

3. What type of historical source are travellers’ accounts?
A. Archaeological
B. Literary
C. Epigraphic
D. Numismatic

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Travel accounts are literary sources written in narrative form and must be corroborated with other evidence.

Section B: Al-Biruni

4. Al-Biruni came to India during the reign of:
A. Qutbuddin Aibak
B. Mahmud of Ghazni
C. Alauddin Khalji
D. Firuz Shah Tughlaq

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Al-Biruni accompanied Mahmud of Ghazni in the early 11th century.

5. Which language did Al-Biruni learn to understand Indian society?
A. Persian
B. Prakrit
C. Sanskrit
D. Hindi

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Al-Biruni learned Sanskrit to study Indian religious and philosophical texts directly.

6. What was Al-Biruni’s main objective in writing about India?
A. To criticise Indian rulers
B. To promote Islam
C. To understand Indian knowledge systems
D. To record military campaigns

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
He aimed to study Indian religion, philosophy, science, and social practices objectively.

7. Which social system did Al-Biruni describe as rigid?
A. Feudalism
B. Slavery
C. Caste system
D. Guild system

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Al-Biruni criticised the caste system for restricting social mobility and interaction.

8. Which approach best describes Al-Biruni’s writings?
A. Emotional
B. Religious
C. Scholarly and comparative
D. Political

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
He compared Indian traditions with Islamic traditions using a scholarly and analytical method.

Section C: Ibn Battuta

9. Ibn Battuta belonged to:
A. Turkey
B. Persia
C. Morocco
D. Egypt

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Ibn Battuta was a Moroccan traveller who visited India in the 14th century.

10. Ibn Battuta visited India during the reign of:
A. Balban
B. Alauddin Khalji
C. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
D. Firuz Shah Tughlaq

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
He served as a Qazi under Muhammad bin Tughlaq.

11. What impressed Ibn Battuta most about Indian rulers?
A. Religious tolerance
B. Architectural style
C. Generosity and wealth
D. Military discipline

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
He repeatedly mentioned the generosity, wealth, and hospitality of Indian rulers.

12. What disturbed Ibn Battuta about Indian society?
A. Religious practices
B. Food habits
C. Harsh punishments
D. Trade system

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
He was shocked by severe punishments and social inequalities.

13. How did Ibn Battuta describe Indian cities?
A. Poor and backward
B. Isolated and small
C. Large and prosperous
D. Only religious centres

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
He described Indian cities as densely populated, wealthy, and vibrant trade centres.

Section D: François Bernier

14. François Bernier was a traveller from:
A. England
B. France
C. Italy
D. Portugal

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Bernier was a French traveller who visited India in the 17th century.

15. Bernier visited India during the reign of:
A. Akbar
B. Jahangir
C. Shah Jahan
D. Aurangzeb

Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
Bernier stayed in India during Aurangzeb’s reign.

16. What system did Bernier strongly criticise?
A. Caste system
B. Religious practices
C. Land ownership system
D. Urban trade

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
He criticised state ownership of land, believing it caused economic stagnation.

17. Why do historians question Bernier’s conclusions?
A. He lacked education
B. He ignored urban life
C. He judged India by European standards
D. He depended on hearsay

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Bernier applied European economic ideas to Indian society, leading to biased conclusions.

Section E: Society, Religion and Economy

18. Which social institution is frequently discussed by travellers?
A. Joint family
B. Caste system
C. Village panchayat
D. Guilds

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The caste system attracted attention due to its rigidity and social divisions.

19. What did travellers observe about religion in India?
A. Religious uniformity
B. Forced conversions
C. Religious diversity
D. Decline of rituals

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
They observed coexistence of multiple religions and diverse practices.

20. What role did pilgrimage play in society?
A. Political activity
B. Economic burden
C. Religious devotion
D. Social protest

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Pilgrimage was a key aspect of religious life and devotion.

21. What economic activity formed the backbone of Indian economy?
A. Trade
B. Crafts
C. Agriculture
D. Mining

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Travellers noted that agriculture was the main economic base.

22. What does Ibn Battuta’s account reveal about Indian trade?
A. It was localised
B. It was declining
C. It was internationally connected
D. It was controlled by rulers

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Indian markets were linked to international trade networks.

Section F: Strengths and Limitations of Travelogues

23. What is the greatest strength of travellers’ accounts?
A. Objectivity
B. Eyewitness description
C. Religious neutrality
D. Chronological accuracy

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
They provide firsthand observations of society and daily life.

24. What is a major limitation of travel accounts?
A. Poor language
B. Lack of dates
C. Cultural misunderstanding
D. Lack of detail

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Travellers often misunderstood local customs due to cultural differences.

25. Why should historians compare multiple travel accounts?
A. To reduce workload
B. To confirm bias
C. To cross-verify information
D. To replace indigenous sources

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Comparison helps verify accuracy and reduce bias.

26. Which traveller adopted the most scholarly approach?
A. Ibn Battuta
B. Bernier
C. Al-Biruni
D. Marco Polo

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Al-Biruni used texts, language study, and comparison, making his approach scholarly.

27. Which traveller focused most on personal experiences?
A. Al-Biruni
B. Bernier
C. Ibn Battuta
D. Fa-Hien

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Ibn Battuta’s account is rich in personal experiences and observations.

28. Which traveller provided a European critique of India?
A. Al-Biruni
B. Ibn Battuta
C. Bernier
D. Hiuen Tsang

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Bernier analysed India using European political and economic ideas.

29. What should historians do while using travelogues?
A. Accept them completely
B. Reject them entirely
C. Read them critically
D. Use them independently

Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Critical reading helps distinguish fact from opinion and bias.

30. Why are travellers’ perceptions important for understanding medieval India?
A. They replace Indian sources
B. They show outsider reactions
C. They are always accurate
D. They focus only on rulers

Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
They reveal how Indian society appeared to foreign observers, enriching historical understanding.