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How many rulers did Ibn Battuta report meeting during his travels?
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Ibn Battuta
Ibn Baṭṭūṭah (right) with an Egyptian man in Egypt.
Ibn Battuta, the renowned medieval Muslim traveler and author of the Riḥlah, reported meeting at least 60 rulers during his extensive journeys across the Islamic world and beyond.12
In addition to these heads of state, his travelogue mentions more than 2,000 individuals whom he knew personally or whose tombs he visited, including a vast number of viziers, governors, and other dignitaries. His accounts serve as a significant historical record, providing valuable insights into the social, cultural, and political landscapes of the 14th century.2