The correct option is Ibn Battuta.
Explanation
Medieval travellers visiting India frequently recorded detailed observations of flora, fauna, and social customs that were unfamiliar to their native audiences. To make these descriptions relatable, they often employed analogies comparing Indian products to known objects or human features.
Historical Analysis
Ibn Battuta, the Moroccan traveller who visited India in the 14th century during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, documented his observations in his travelogue, the Rihla (Kitab-ul-Rihla). He was particularly fascinated by two plant products unfamiliar to his audience: the coconut and the paan (betel leaf).
- The Coconut Analogy: Ibn Battuta explicitly described the coconut as resembling a human head. He observed that the shell had three marks resembling two eyes and a mouth, and the green fiber covering the nut looked like hair.
- Other Travellers: While Al-Biruni (11th century), Marco Polo (13th century), and Abdur Razzaq (15th century) provided valuable accounts of Indian geography, trade, and society, the specific comparison of the coconut to a human head is a hallmark of Ibn Battuta’s writings.
Key Takeaway: Ibn Battuta’s Rihla is a crucial source for 14th-century Indian history, noted for its unique descriptions of Indian flora, specifically the comparison of the coconut to a human head.