Which of the following were features of the postal system of India as described by Ibn Battuta?

1. The foot post carries a ringing bell in one hand.

2. The horse post is called uluq, stationed at a distance of every four miles.

3. The foot post or dawa has one station at every four kos of distance.

4. The foot post is quicker than the horse post.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

The correct answer is  1, 2 and 4.

Key PointsFeatures of the Postal System of India as Described by Ibn Battuta

• The foot post carries a ringing bell in one hand:
  • Ibn Battuta described the postal system in India, where the foot post (dawa) carriers would hold a ringing bell in one hand to announce their arrival and ensure swift communication.
  • This method was used to alert the next relay station of the approaching messenger, ensuring continuous and rapid transmission of messages.
  Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The horse post is called uluq, stationed at a distance of every four miles:
  • Ibn Battuta noted that the horse post, referred to as "uluq," was stationed at intervals of every four miles (approximately 6.4 kilometers).
  • This system allowed for the quick relay of messages over long distances, as fresh horses and riders were available at regular intervals.
  Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The foot post or dawa has one station at every four kos of distance:
  • While the foot post system did have relay stations, the distance mentioned by Ibn Battuta was four miles, not four kos (which is approximately 12-15 kilometers).
  • This discrepancy indicates that this statement is not in line with Ibn Battuta's description.
  Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
• The foot post is quicker than horse post:
  • Ibn Battuta observed that the foot post was indeed quicker than the horse post in certain contexts, primarily due to the shorter intervals between relay stations and the efficiency of the system.
  • This efficiency was achieved through the continuous relay of messages by foot runners, who could cover shorter distances more rapidly than horses over the same period.
  Hence, statement 4 is correct.

Additional Information

• Ibn Battuta:
  • Ibn Battuta was a Moroccan explorer and traveler who visited India during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq in the 14th century.
  • His travel accounts provide valuable insights into the administrative systems, culture, and daily life in the regions he visited.
• Postal System in Medieval India:
  • The postal system in medieval India was highly organized and efficient, with relay stations and messengers ensuring rapid communication across vast distances.
  • This system was crucial for administrative control, military communication, and trade.
• Kos:
  • Kos is a traditional unit of distance measurement in India, approximately equivalent to 3-4 kilometres.
  • It was commonly used in historical texts to describe distances between locations.
• Uluq:
  • Uluq refers to the horse post system used in medieval India, where horses were stationed at regular intervals for speedy relay of messages.
  • This system was part of a broader network that included both foot and horse posts to ensure efficient communication.