How did Ibn Battuta Explore the World?

This paragraph introduces Ibn Battuta, a Berber born in Tangier in 1304, from a family of Islamic legal scholars. Despite being offered a job as a religious judge, he chose to embark on a pilgrimage to Mecca at the age of 21, which turned into a 24-year adventure. His journey began solo, traveling across North Africa, stopping in various cities including Tunis, Alexandria, and Cairo. He met influential figures along the way, like Sheikh Murshidi and Sheikh Burhanuddin, who fueled his desire to explore. Despite facing obstacles such as local revolts, he persevered, visiting significant Islamic sites like Mecca and Medina, and earning the title Hajji. Instead of returning home, he continued his travels, joining a caravan and exploring regions like Iraq and Iran.

In this paragraph, Ibn Battuta's travels take him to the Middle East and beyond. He meets Abu Sa’id, the final Mongol leader of the unified il-khanate, and accompanies him northward. His journey along the Silk Road leads him to places like Tabriz, Mosul, and eventually back to Mecca. He then travels to Yemen, the Swahili Coast, and India, where he becomes a qadi, or judge, in Delhi under the Sultan of Dehli, Muhammad bin Tughluq. Despite facing challenges such as kidnapping and robbery, he continues to explore India and neighboring regions. His travels also take him to the Maldive Islands, where he serves as a chief judge, and Sri Lanka. He attempts to reach China but faces more obstacles, including being shipwrecked and dealing with political tensions. Nevertheless, he eventually makes it to China, visiting major cities like Quanzhou, Guangzhou, and Beijing.

This paragraph details Ibn Battuta's continued travels, including his return to Mecca for another pilgrimage and his involvement with a Chinese embassy tasked with rebuilding a Buddhist temple. He faces further misfortune, including being separated from his companions and dealing with the collapse of the Sultanate of Nawayath in India. He becomes stranded in southern India but manages to reach the Maldives and then Sri Lanka. Despite setbacks, he remains determined to reach China, which he eventually does, visiting major cities and being welcomed by local rulers. His travels then take him to Southeast Asia, and he begins his journey back home to Morocco.

In the final paragraph, Ibn Battuta returns to Morocco after an extensive journey that spans nearly 25 years. He learns of the deaths of his parents and, after a brief stay, sets off on new adventures to the Iberian Peninsula. He travels through al-Andalus and Morocco again, visiting cities like Marrakech, Fez, and Sijilmasa. His travels take him across the Mali Empire and back to Morocco, where he is finally called upon by the Sultan to return to his hometown. Once back in Morocco, Ibn Battuta writes a detailed travelogue, The Rihla, which documents his life and travels, providing a rich account of his experiences and the cultures he encountered. His work ensures that his legacy as one of the most remarkable explorers in history is preserved. Ibn Battuta passes away in 1369, leaving behind a rich tapestry of travel and discovery.