1.5.2. Ibn Battuta and Indian Cities

Ibn Battuta found cities in the subcontinent full of exciting opportunities for those who had the necessary drive, resources and skills. They were densely populated and prosperous, except for the occasional disruptions caused by wars and invasions.

Ibn Battuta describes Indian cities as vibrant and bustling places. People who were ambitious and well-resourced could find numerous opportunities to thrive. While the cities faced issues like wars and invasions, they were still noted for their prosperity and liveliness. This suggests that the social and economic conditions in Indian cities were favorable for the growth of trade and community activities.

Think of a modern-day city like New York or Mumbai, which is full of life, opportunities, and economic activities, albeit sometimes facing challenges like traffic jams or protests. Just like these cities, Ibn Battuta saw Indian cities as exciting yet occasionally turbulent places.

It appears from Ibn Battuta’s account that most cities had crowded streets and bright and colourful markets that were stacked with a wide variety of goods. Ibn Battuta described Delhi as a vast city, with a great population, the largest in India. Daulatabad (in Maharashtra) was no less, and easily rivalled Delhi in size.

Ibn Battuta provides a vivid description of Delhi, emphasizing its size and the density of its population, marking it as the largest city in India. He also mentions Daulatabad, highlighting its comparable size and significant market activity. This indicates that India had vibrant urban centers that thrived on commerce and cultural exchange.

Consider a busy market city today, such as Bangkok or Istanbul, known for their crowded bazaars showing diverse goods. Just like those cities thrive on commerce and variety, Ibn Battuta considered Delhi and Daulatabad as bustling hubs filled with life and economic activity.

The city of Dehli covers a wide area and has a large population ... The rampart round the city is without parallel. The breadth of its wall is eleven cubits; and inside it are houses for the night sentry and gate-keepers. Inside the ramparts, there are store-houses for storing edibles, magazines, ammunition, ballistas, and siege machines.

Ibn Battuta highlights the impressive architecture of Delhi, particularly its vast city walls, which were eleven cubits thick. These walls not only served as fortifications but also housed facilities for guards and storage. This description suggests that safety and organization were essential priorities in the city's design, reflecting a sophisticated level of urban planning.

Imagine visiting an ancient fortress that has towers, thick walls, and storage facilities for weapons and food, just like modern cities have secure areas. It’s like a protective shell, keeping the city inhabitants safe while managing resources efficiently.

The bazaars were not only places of economic transactions, but also the hub of social and cultural activities. Most bazaars had a mosque and a temple, and in some of them at least, spaces were marked for public performances by dancers, musicians and singers.

Ibn Battuta noticed that bazaars in the cities served multiple purposes beyond trade. They were cultural hotspots that often included places of worship and areas for artistic performances. This illustrates how commerce and culture were intertwined in these urban environments, positioning bazaars as focal points of community life.

Think about a modern-day marketplace where you can buy fresh produce while also enjoying street performances—like going to a fair where shopping and entertainment collide. Ibn Battuta’s account gives us a glimpse of how cities flourished not just economically, but culturally.

While Ibn Battuta was not particularly concerned with explaining the prosperity of towns, historians have used his account to suggest that towns derived a significant portion of their wealth through the appropriation of surplus from villages.

Ibn Battuta noted the agricultural productivity of the subcontinent, which allowed for two crops a year, thus enriching the cities. This productivity likely enabled the urban centers to become prosperous by drawing resources from surrounding villages. This insight helps to understand how rural and urban economies were connected.

Imagine a city that thrives on the agricultural products from its outskirts, like how urban regions depend on nearby farms for fresh produce, underpinning the economy. This interconnectedness is what Ibn Battuta hints at in the relationship between agriculture and city wealth.

In Daulatabad there is a market place for male and female singers, which is known as Tarababad. It is one of the greatest and most beautiful bazaars. It has numerous shops and every shop has a door which leads into the house of the owner ...

Ibn Battuta provides specific details about Daulatabad's vibrant marketplace, Tarababad, emphasizing its success as a cultural and commercial center. This bazaar not only catered to economic transactions but also showcased the talents of singers and musicians, reflecting a rich artistic tapestry.

Think of a contemporary artistic plaza or a music festival where local artists perform—you can buy craft from local shops while enjoying live music. Such lively atmospheres contribute significantly to city life and community bonding, exactly as Ibn Battuta observed in Daulatabad.

The state evidently took special measures to encourage merchants. Almost all trade routes were well supplied with inns and guest houses. Ibn Battuta was also amazed by the efficiency of the postal system which allowed merchants to not only send information and remit credit across long distances, but also to dispatch goods required at short notice.

Ibn Battuta highlights the support systems established by the state for merchants, such as well-maintained inns and an efficient postal service that enabled quick communication and transportation. This infrastructure facilitated trade and contributed significantly to economic activity in cities.

Consider a modern logistics company with routes and warehouses that allow quick delivery of packages. Just as this business model allows for swift distribution of goods and communication, the historical postal system described by Ibn Battuta also helped commerce flourish in the subcontinent.

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