HistoryMedieval India: Through the Eyes of Travellers

Which of the following pairs about the postal system described by Ibn…

Which of the following pairs about the postal system described by Ibn Battuta is correctly matched?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 3

The correct answer is Option (3) → News reports of spies by post - five days

Option (1) Travel from Sind to Delhi - five days — Incorrect. Five days was the time taken by spies' reports sent by post. The journey from Sind to Delhi itself took fifty days.

Option (2) News reports of spies by post - fifty days — Incorrect. The two numbers are reversed here. Fifty days was the ordinary journey from Sind to Delhi.

Option (3) News reports of spies by post - five days — Correct. Ibn Battuta was amazed by the speed of the post. The news reports of spies reached the Sultan in just five days, though the journey from Sind took fifty.

Option (4) Travel from Sind to Delhi - twenty days — Incorrect. The journey from Sind to Delhi took fifty days. The number in this pair is changed.

NCERT (2026-27): “5.3 A unique system of communication
The state evidently took special measures to encourage merchants. Almost all trade routes were well supplied with inns and guest houses. Ibn Battuta was also amazed by the efficiency of the postal system which allowed merchants to not only send information and remit credit across long distances, but also to dispatch goods required at short notice. The postal system was so efficient that while it took fifty days to reach Delhi from Sind, the news reports of spies would reach the Sultan through the postal system in just five days.”