Correct Option
The correct option is Ibn Battuta.
Explanation
Medieval foreign travellers often documented aspects of Indian flora, fauna, and social customs that were unfamiliar to their native audiences. Ibn Battuta, a Moroccan traveller who visited India during the 14th century (reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq), provided detailed accounts of such unique features in his travelogue, the Rihla (Kitab-ul-Rihla).
Detailed Analysis
Ibn Battuta was particularly intrigued by two plant species that were unknown to his audience in the Islamic West: the coconut and the betel (paan).
- Observation on Betel: He described the betel plant with great curiosity, noting its cultivation method and utility. He explicitly wrote that the betel is a tree cultivated in the same manner as the grape-vine, but it produces no fruit and is grown only for the sake of its leaves.
- Usage: He further detailed the social custom of chewing betel leaves with areca nut (supari) and lime, highlighting its significance in Indian hospitality and daily life.
- Comparison with Other Travellers:
- Al-Biruni (11th Century): While he discussed Indian culture, science, and religion in Kitab-ul-Hind, the specific botanical observation regarding the fruitlessness of the betel plant is distinctively attributed to Ibn Battuta.
- Francois Bernier (17th Century): A French doctor who visited during the Mughal era, focusing primarily on political economy, land ownership, and the condition of the peasantry.
- Duarte Barbosa (16th Century): A Portuguese traveller who wrote extensively on the trade and society of the Vijayanagara Empire and the Malabar coast.
Key Takeaway
Ibn Battuta is the traveller known for his detailed botanical descriptions of the coconut and the betel (paan), specifically noting that the betel is cultivated solely for its leaves and bears no fruit.