Hall of a Thousand Columns: Hindustan to Malabar with Ibn Battutah by Tim Mackintosh-Smith

Hall of a Thousand Columns: Hindustan to Malabar with Ibn Battutah is a travelogue written by Tim Mackintosh-Smith, a British author and scholar who retraced the journey of the famous medieval Moroccan traveler Ibn Battutah in India.

The book recounts the adventures of Ibn Battutah, who traveled extensively throughout the Islamic world in the 14th century, and Mackintosh-Smith’s attempts to retrace his steps more than 600 years later. The journey takes them from the imperial capital of Delhi to the southern coast of India, through the towns and cities that Ibn Battutah visited and wrote about in his travelogue.

Mackintosh-Smith’s narrative weaves together history, geography, and personal observation to provide a rich and nuanced portrait of India’s diverse cultures and traditions. He offers insights into the historical and cultural context of the places he visits, as well as his own experiences and interactions with local people.

Through the eyes of Ibn Battutah and Mackintosh-Smith, readers gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and contradictions of India’s history and culture, from the grandeur of the Mughal Empire to the diversity of its regional languages and religions. The book also offers a glimpse into the challenges and rewards of contemporary travel, as Mackintosh-Smith grapples with the modern-day realities of transportation, communication, and cultural exchange.

Overall, Hall of a Thousand Columns is a captivating and insightful travelogue that blends history, literature, and personal experience to bring the rich and varied world of medieval and contemporary India to life.