The Arab equivalent of Marco Polo, Sheikh Ibn Battuta (1304-77) set out as a young man on a pilgrimage to Mecca that ended 27 years and 75,000 miles later. The only medieval traveler known to have visited the lands of every Muslim ruler of his time, Ibn Battuta was born into a family of highly respected religious judges and educated as a theologian. Leaving his native city of Tangier in 1326, he traveled — over the next several years — to East Africa, Byzantium, Iraq, southern Russia, India, Ceylon, and China. His account of the journey, dictated on his return, not only provides vivid accounts of an odyssey that took him to exotic lands, but also describes in great detail Muslim maritime activities in the Middle and Far East, fascinating elements of foreign architecture, and agricultural activities of diverse cultures. A rare and important work covering the geography and history of the medieval Arab world, this primary sourcebook will be welcomed by students and scholars for its inherent historical value. The Travels of IBN Battuta in the Near East, Asia and Africa 1325–1354 By Samuel Lee Dover Publications, Inc. Copyright © 2004 Dover Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-486-43765-1 CHAPTER 1 Tanjiers—Tilimsan—Milyana—Algiers—Bijaya—Kosantina—Buna—Tunis— Susa—Sajakus—Kabis—Tripoli—Meslata, &c. In the name of the compassionate and merciful God. Praise be ascribed to God the lord of worlds; and the blessing of God be upon our Lord Mohammed, and upon all his posterity and companions. But to proceed: The poor, and needy of the forgiveness of his bountiful lord, Mohammed Ibn Fat,h Allah El Bailuni states, that the following is what he extracted from the epitome of the Katib Mohammed Ibn Jazzi El Kelbi (upon whom be the mercy of God), from the travels of the theologian Abu Abd Allah Mohammed Ibn Abd Allah El Lawati of Tanjiers known by the surname of Ibn Batuta: and, that he did not extract any thing except what was strange and unknown, or, known by report, but not believed on account of its rarity, and the frequent carelessness of historians in delivering down what has been reported, but what he himself considered as true, in consequence of the fidelity of the Traveller, and because he had written what he believed to be credible from histories of various nations and countries; and, because that which has been reported by faithful witnesses, generally receives credit and excites inquiry. Some of his statements, indeed, are opposed to the statements of others; as, for instance, his accounts of what he saw of the aromatic roots of Hindustan, which differ from those given by the physicians: and yet his accounts are probably the true ones. The Sheikh Ibn Batuta, the author of these travels, left his native city, Tanjiers, for the purpose of performing the pilgrimage in the 725th year of the Hejira (A.D. 1324-5). I shall mention here only the names of some of the districts through which he passed, although this may contribute but little towards impressing the reader with the greatness of his courage, his religious confidence, or his indefatigable perseverance, in overcoming the difficulties of passing deserts and of crossing mountains. The first city, therefore, at which he arrived, was Tilimsan; the next Milyana; the next El Jazaer (Algiers): the next Bijaya; the next Kosantina the next Buna; the next Tunis; the next Sawsa; the next Safakus. Ibn Jazzi El Kelbi states, that on this place the following verses were written by Ibn Habib El Tenukhi. May showers enrich thy happy soil, Fair land, where fanes and towers arise: On thee let sainted pilgrims pour The richest blessings of the skies. The wave that round thy bosom plays, Conscious of its endeared retreat, When the rude tempest rocks thy domes, In sighs resigns its happy seat. Yet urged another glance to steal Of thy loved form so good so fair, Flies to avoid the painful view Of rival lovers basking thence. And, on the other hand, Abu Abd Allah Mohammed Ibn Abi Temim has said: See the swelling angry tide, Rage and beat against her side: But, only ask a moment's stay,— It hisses, foams, and rolls away. The next city was that of Kabis; the next Tarabulus (Tripoli). Ibn Batuta has stated, that he then passed on to Meslata and Mesurata, and Kasura Suit (or Palaces of Surt). We then passed, says he, the low grounds (which may also mean the Forest ), and proceeded to the palace of Barsis the devotee, to the Kubbat El Islam, and to the city of Alexandria, where we saw one of its most learned men, the judge Fakhr Oddin El Riki, whose grandfather is said to have been an inhabitant of Rika. This man was exceedingly assiduous in acquiring learning: he travelled to Hejaz, and thence to Alexandria, where he arrived in the evening of the day. He was rather poor, and would not enter the city until he had witnessed some favourable omen. He sat, accordingly, near the gate, until all the persons had gone in, and it was nearly t