Who was Al-Biruni?
Al-Biruni also known as also known as Abu al-Rayhan Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Biruni. He was a scholar and polymath from the Islamic Golden Age, born in 973 AD in what is now Uzbekistan. Al-Biruni spent considerable time studying India, its culture, religion, philosophy, and science.
- He documented his observations in his famous book, “Kitab al-Hind” (Book of India), which is considered a foundational work in the field of Indology, the study of Indian history and culture.
- He was deeply interested in understanding different religions and their practices. He studied and compared Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam making him a pioneer in the field of comparative religion.
- His detailed studies of cultures and societies led some to consider him an early and first anthropologist.
Making Sense of an Alien World Al-Biruni and the Sanskritic Tradition| Class 12 History
Al-Biruni came to India in 1017 AD. Despite the circumstances of his arrival, he developed a deep fascination with Indian culture. He also learned Sanskrit to better understand the Indian Culture and Religion.
He documented his observations in his magnum opus, “Kitab al-Hind” (Book of India). This book is a treasure of information on ancient India covering everything from mathematics and astronomy to religion, customs, and social structures.
In this article, You will get the Notes of Class 12 History Notes Chapter 5 Making Sense of an Alien World Al-Biruni and the Sanskritic Tradition.
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