How had Bernier described a complex social reality of the artisans under the Mughals. Give any one reason.
Bernier felt that artisans had no incentive to improve the quality of their manufactures, since profits were appropriated by the state. Manufactures were, consequently everywhere in decline. At the same time, he conceded that vast quantities of the world's precious metals flowed into India, as manufactures were exported in exchange for gold and silver. He also noticed the existence of a prosperous merchant community, engaged in long-distance exchange.
Give a brief introduction of Francois Bernier. How long he remained in India?
Name the book written by Al-Biruni. Mention its language and content.
Nuts like a man's head The following is how Ibn Battuta described the coconut:
These trees are among the most peculiar trees in kind and most astonishing in habit. They look exactly like date-palms, without any difference between them except that the one produces nuts as its fruits and the other produces dates. The nut of a coconut tree resembles a man's head, for in it are what look like two eyes and a mouth, and the inside of it what it is green looks like the brain, and attached to it is a fibre which looks like hair. They make from this cords with which they sew up ships instead of (using) iron nails, and they (also) make from it cables for vessels. Questions:
(i) Explain the uses of the coconut.
(ii) Explain the difference between coconut tree and palm tree.
(iii) How has the coconut been described similar to man's head?
(iv) Do you agree or not with the explanation given by Ibn Battuta? Explain.
Indicate and write the names of places visited by Ibn Battuta in Afghanistan, Sind, Punjab and India. Write the names of other prominent places also.
Or
Without using scale draw sketch map of the Ibn Battuta from Lahari to Delhi. Use as a travel land route by Ibn Battuta.
