This children’s article, Ibn Battuta: the boy from Tangier who travelled far and wide, has been written for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It can help children practise reading and comprehension, discover an extraordinary explorer from the Islamic world, and learn how his famous travel book was created. Written by Mark Pulley, a teacher and writer who creates fun and informative news articles for English learners.
A boy with big dreams
Ibn Battuta was born in 1304 in the busy port city of Tangier, on the northern coast of Morocco. As a child, he grew up listening to stories told by sailors, merchants, and pilgrims travelling through the city. These stories filled his head with ideas about distant deserts, powerful kings, and bustling cities.
He trained as a scholar of Islamic law, but when he turned twenty-one, he decided that instead of staying at home, he would travel across the Islamic world. His goal was simple: to visit Mecca, learn from great teachers, and see as much of the world as he could.
A student in Mecca and a traveller across the Islamic world
His journey to Mecca took him across North Africa, the Red Sea, and the Arabian Peninsula. In Mecca, he continued his studies, but he did not stay long. He had caught the “travel bug”, and the world felt too exciting to ignore.
Over the next few years he travelled endlessly, visiting Iraq, Persia, East Africa, Yemen, Anatolia, and even the steppes of Central Asia. His adventures were not always peaceful, though. Once, while riding through the Indian countryside, he was attacked by soldiers. He was hit in the shoulder by an arrow, but it didn’t kill him; he managed to escape on his horse.
Working for the Sultan of Delhi
When Ibn Battuta reached India, he was welcomed by the Sultan of Delhi, a powerful ruler known for sudden anger and unpredictable decisions.
Ibn Battuta worked for him as a judge and diplomat, but life at the court was dangerous. People could fall out of favour very quickly, so Ibn Battuta was relieved when he was finally sent on a mission to China.
Shipwreck before China
Ibn Battuta’s trip to China did not begin smoothly. Before he even left the coast of India, a violent storm destroyed his ships. Most of his belongings were lost, and he had to continue using whatever transport he could find.
He did eventually reach parts of China, including the great city of Quanzhou, but the journey had become far more difficult than planned.
A king who gave gold… but not to Ibn Battuta
During his travels through West Africa. He hoped to meet the famous king of the Mali Empire, a ruler known for giving gifts of gold to visitors. However, by the time Ibn Battuta arrived, that generous king had died.
The new ruler, Mansa Sulayman, was less open-handed. Instead of gold, he offered Ibn Battuta a few meals and wished him well.
Summoning him home
After nearly thirty years on the road, Ibn Battuta finally returned to Morocco. The Sultan of Morocco was amazed by his stories and ordered him to write everything down. With the help of a scholar, Ibn Battuta created his famous book, the Rihla, or The Journey.
Historians believe he travelled around 120,000 kilometres through more than forty modern countries, which was farther than any other explorer of his time.
His book is one of the most important travel records ever written. Although he is very well known in the Islamic world, he deserves to be recognised globally as one of history’s greatest travellers. Now take a look at our article about Marco Polo, another famous explorer from the past.
Article vocabulary list
- Scholar: A person who studies a subject in great depth.
- Pilgrim: Someone who travels to a holy place for religious reasons.
- Unpredictable: Hard to know what someone will do next.
- Diplomat: A person who represents their country during important meetings.
- Generous: Someone who enjoys giving things to others.
- Ruler: A person who controls a country or empire.
- Belongings: The things a person owns.
- Coast: The land next to the sea.
- Historians: People who study and write about the past.
- Record: Information written down so it can be remembered and studied.
Comprehension questions
Just click the plus (+) to see the answer
1. Where was Ibn Battuta born?
a) Baghdad
b) Tangier
c) Cairo
Answer: b) Tangier
2. What was Ibn Battuta’s original goal when he left home at twenty-one?
a) To reach China
b) To become a diplomat
c) To visit Mecca and study
Answer: c) To visit Mecca and study00
3. Who did Ibn Battuta work for in India?
a) Mansa Musa
b) The Sultan of Delhi
c) A Chinese emperor
Answer: b) The Sultan of Delhi
4. What happened to Ibn Battuta’s ships on the way to China?
a) They were stolen
b) They sank because of a storm
c) They arrived safely
Answer: b) They sank because of a storm
5. About how far did Ibn Battuta travel in total?
a) 120,000 kilometres
b) 5,000 kilometres
c) 40,000 kilometres
Answer: a) 120,000 kilometres
Mark is a writer and EFL teacher from England with eight years’ experience. He’s passionate about travel, sport (especially football), animals, nature, and history, and enjoys helping children explore the world through language and learning.
