NCERT Class 12 History Themes in Indian History-II: Chapter 1 — Through the Eyes of Travellers
This chapter, "Through the Eyes of Travellers," from NCERT's Class 12 History textbook "Themes in Indian History-II," explores how accounts of travellers enrich our understanding of the past, particularly social life in the Indian subcontinent from the tenth to the seventeenth century. It highlights that travellers, coming from diverse backgrounds, often noticed everyday customs and practices that indigenous writers overlooked. The chapter focuses on the observations of three key travellers: Al-Biruni (eleventh century, Uzbekistan), Ibn Battuta (fourteenth century, Morocco), and François Bernier (seventeenth century, France). It details Al-Biruni's background, his arrival in Ghazni, his interest in India, and his linguistic skills, which enabled him to compare languages and translate texts. The chapter emphasizes the unique perspective travellers bring, making their accounts invaluable for historical study.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | History |
| Book | Themes in Indian History-II |
| Chapter | Chapter 1 — Through the Eyes of Travellers |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 4 minutes |
| Word count | 786 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the importance of travellers' accounts in reconstructing social history.
- Analyze the perspectives of foreign travellers like Al-Biruni, Ibn Battuta, and Bernier.
- Identify the types of information recorded by travellers and their significance.
- Appreciate the differences in perspectives between indigenous and foreign writers.
- Learn about the socio-cultural conditions of the Indian subcontinent during the medieval period.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Subcontinent | A large, distinguishable part of a continent, such as India. |
| Indigenous | Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native. |
| Repertory | A stock or storehouse of useful things; a collection. |
| Hostage | A person or thing held as security for the fulfillment of an undertaking. |
| Folklore | The traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community, passed through the generations by word of mouth. |
| Monuments | A statue, building, or other structure erected to commemorate a famous or notable person or event. |
| Diplomat | An official appointed by a government to conduct diplomatic relations with another country or international organization. |
| Sanskrit | An ancient Indo-Aryan language of India, in which the Hindu scriptures and classical literature are written. |
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Practice questions
- Who were the three main travellers discussed in this chapter, and from which regions did they come? Answer: The three main travellers discussed are Al-Biruni (from Uzbekistan), Ibn Battuta (from Morocco), and François Bernier (from France).
- What was Al-Biruni's stated objective in writing his work? Answer: Al-Biruni stated his work was a help to those who wanted to discuss religious questions with the Hindus and a repertory of information for those who wanted to associate with them.
- Why are the accounts of travellers often more attentive to everyday activities than those of indigenous writers? Answer: Travellers, coming from different social and cultural environments, were often more attentive to everyday activities and practices that indigenous writers took for granted and did not consider worthy of recording.
- What kind of texts did Al-Biruni translate? Answer: Al-Biruni translated Sanskrit works, including Patanjali's work on grammar, into Arabic. He also translated Euclid's works into Sanskrit for his Brahmana friends.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Which of the following travellers visited India in the eleventh century?
Explanation: Al-Biruni, who came from Uzbekistan, visited India in the eleventh century.
Q2. Al-Biruni was brought to Ghazni as a:
Explanation: Al-Biruni was taken to Ghazni as a hostage when Sultan Mahmud invaded Khwarizm in 1017.
Q3. Which city's description in the fifteenth century is mentioned as coming from Abdur Razzaq Samarqandi?
Explanation: Abdur Razzaq Samarqandi, a diplomat, provided one of the most important descriptions of the city of Vijayanagara in the fifteenth century.
Q4. François Bernier was from which country?
Explanation: François Bernier was a Frenchman who visited the subcontinent in the seventeenth century.
Q5. Travel literature was already an accepted part of which literature by the time Al-Biruni wrote?
Explanation: The text states that travel literature was already an accepted part of Arabic literature when Al-Biruni was writing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of Chapter 7 of NCERT Class 12 History?
The main theme is understanding the past, particularly social life, through the accounts of travellers who visited the Indian subcontinent.
Who are the primary travellers discussed in this chapter?
The chapter focuses on Al-Biruni (11th century), Ibn Battuta (14th century), and François Bernier (17th century).
Why are travellers' accounts considered important historical sources?
Travellers often noticed and recorded everyday customs and practices that indigenous writers overlooked, providing a unique perspective on social and cultural life.
Where was Al-Biruni from, and when did he visit India?
Al-Biruni was from Khwarizm (present-day Uzbekistan) and visited India in the eleventh century.
What languages was Al-Biruni proficient in?
Al-Biruni was well-versed in Syriac, Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, and Sanskrit.
What was the significance of Al-Biruni translating Euclid into Sanskrit?
It demonstrates his effort to share knowledge and bridge cultural and intellectual divides by translating Greek mathematical works for his Indian scholars.
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NCERT Class 12 History — Themes in Indian History-II — Chapter 1 — Through the Eyes of Travellers. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.