The correct option is 2 only
Explanation
The reconstruction of medieval history relies heavily on travelogues and chronicles. However, the availability of these sources is marked by a distinct gender gap, influenced by the literacy levels and social roles assigned to women during that period.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: Historians do not possess numerous detailed accounts of travel left by women from the medieval period. The extant travel literature from this era (e.g., works by Al-Biruni, Ibn Battuta, Bernier) is almost exclusively male-authored.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Women were active participants in mobility during the medieval period. They travelled as traders, pilgrims, and often accompanied armies or families in search of work or to escape natural disasters. However, despite their presence in these journeys, they did not generally leave written records or memoirs of their experiences.
Key Takeaway:
While medieval women participated in travel and trade, the historiography of the period lacks first-hand accounts from them; our understanding is primarily derived from narratives written by men.