Mughal Literature

1. “Yogavasistha” was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati duri

“Yogavasistha” was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of :

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Akbar
Humayun
Shahjahan
Aurangzeb
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The correct answer is A) Akbar.
The translation of the Sanskrit philosophical text “Yogavasistha” into Persian was undertaken by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Akbar was known for his interest in religious and philosophical discussions and patronised the translation of various Indian texts into Persian.
Other notable Sanskrit works translated into Persian during Akbar’s reign include the Mahabharata (as Razmnama), Ramayana, Atharva Veda, and Panchatantra. These translations were part of Akbar’s efforts to foster understanding and syncretism between different religious and cultural traditions in his empire.

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2. Tulsidas was the author of 1. Ramcharitmanas 2. Padavali 3. Kavita

Tulsidas was the author of

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  • 1. Ramcharitmanas
  • 2. Padavali
  • 3. Kavitavali

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
1 and 3 only
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The correct option is D.
Statement 1 is correct: Ramcharitmanas, an epic poem based on the Ramayana, was authored by Tulsidas.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Padavali is a collection of devotional songs, primarily associated with the poet Vidyapati (Maithili language) and also Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami (in Bengali, describing Chaitanya Mahaprabhu). It is not primarily attributed to Tulsidas.
Statement 3 is correct: Kavitavali, another important work by Tulsidas, is a collection of poems in the Kavitta metre, dealing with various aspects of Rama’s life.
Tulsidas (c. 1532–1623) was a Ramanandi Sampradaya saint and poet renowned for his devotion to the deity Rama. Besides Ramcharitmanas and Kavitavali, his other notable works include Gitavali, Dohavali, Vairagya Sandipani, and Vinaya Patrika. Vidyapati (c. 1352–1448) was a Maithili poet and a devotee of Shiva, though his Padavali contains many poems dedicated to Krishna.

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3. Consider the following statements : 1. Akbar Nama and Badshah Nama

Consider the following statements :

  • 1. Akbar Nama and Badshah Nama are important illustrated Mughal histories.
  • 2. While Akbar Nama was written by Abdul Hamid Lahori, Badshah Nama was authored by Abu’l Fazl.
  • 3. The Akbar Nama is divided into three books, of which the third book is the Ain-i-Akbari.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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1 only
1 and 3 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
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Statement 1 is correct: Akbar Nama and Badshah Nama are indeed important illustrated Mughal court chronicles.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Akbar Nama was written by Abu’l Fazl, while Badshah Nama was primarily authored by Abdul Hamid Lahori (among others) as the official history of Shah Jahan’s reign.
Statement 3 is correct: Akbar Nama is structured into three volumes. The first volume deals with Akbar’s ancestors, the second with events of Akbar’s reign up to the 46th regnal year, and the third volume is the Ain-i-Akbari, which details the administration, geography, society, and economy of the Mughal empire under Akbar.
Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct.
Mughal chronicles like Akbar Nama and Badshah Nama are valuable sources for understanding the political history, administrative structure, court life, and social conditions of the Mughal Empire. They were often lavishly illustrated, providing visual insights into the period.
Abu’l Fazl was one of Akbar’s most important courtiers and official historian. Badshah Nama, commissioned by Shah Jahan, follows the style of Akbar Nama. Other authors contributed to Badshah Nama besides Abdul Hamid Lahori, such as Muhammad Waris.

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4. Chandimangala, a sixteenth century text, was composed by

Chandimangala, a sixteenth century text, was composed by

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Hema Saraswati
Madhav Kandali
Tukaram
Mukundaram Chakrabarti
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Chandimangala is a significant work in medieval Bengali literature, belonging to the Mangal-Kavya tradition. Mukundaram Chakrabarti, also known as Kavikankan, composed a famous version of Chandimangala in the late 16th century. His work is considered one of the most important and popular versions of the text.
Mukundaram Chakrabarti is a renowned composer of the Bengali text Chandimangala.
Mangal-Kavyas are religious narrative poems composed in medieval Bengal, praising native deities like Chandi, Manasa, and Dharma Thakur.

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5. Who among the following was the author of the Badshah Nama ?

Who among the following was the author of the Badshah Nama ?

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Abdul Hamid Lahori
Abul Fazl
Shah Jahan
Sadullah Khan
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Badshah Nama (or Padshahnama) is the official chronicle of the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. While several authors contributed to the historical accounts of Shah Jahan’s reign, the most famous and widely accepted author of the official Badshah Nama covering the first twenty years of his rule is Abdul Hamid Lahori. Abul Fazl was the historian and chronicler during Emperor Akbar’s reign, famous for writing the Akbarnama and Ain-i-Akbari. Shah Jahan was the ruler whose reign was chronicled, not the author himself. Sadullah Khan was a prominent minister during Shah Jahan’s reign.
This question tests knowledge about important historical texts and their authors from the Mughal period in India.
Historical chronicles like Badshah Nama provide valuable primary source material for understanding the political, social, and cultural history of the Mughal Empire. Other notable Mughal historians include Nizamuddin Ahmad (Tabaqat-i-Akbari), Abdul Qadir Badauni (Muntakhab-ut-Tawarikh), and Muhammad Waris (who continued Lahori’s work).

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6. Which one of the following statements about the Ain-i-Akbari is not co

Which one of the following statements about the Ain-i-Akbari is not correct ?

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It was written by Abu'l Fazl.
It is a part of a larger work called Akbar Nama.
It describes the Mughal Empire as having a diverse population and a composite culture.
It was later revised by Sadullah Khan on the orders of Shah Jahan.
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The correct answer is D) It was later revised by Sadullah Khan on the orders of Shah Jahan.
The Ain-i-Akbari was written by Abu’l Fazl during the reign of Emperor Akbar and is the third volume of the Akbarnama. It is a detailed administrative document providing a comprehensive account of the Mughal Empire’s administration, economy, society, and culture. It was completed around 1598. There is no historical evidence to suggest that it was revised by Sadullah Khan (who served as a Wazir during Shah Jahan’s reign, much later) on the orders of Shah Jahan.
Options A, B, and C are correct statements about the Ain-i-Akbari. Abu’l Fazl was a close friend and court historian of Akbar. The work is indeed part of the larger Akbarnama. The detailed descriptions within the Ain reflect the empire’s diverse population and the composite nature of its culture, including information on various religious groups, castes, customs, and economic activities.

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7. Who among the following was the author of Humayun Nama ?

Who among the following was the author of Humayun Nama ?

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Roshanara Begum
Ruquaiya Sultan Begum
Gulbadan Begum
Gauhara Begum
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Humayun Nama is a historical account of the life of the second Mughal emperor, Humayun. It was written by his half-sister, Gulbadan Begum. She was the daughter of Emperor Babur and Dilawar Begum, and the aunt of Emperor Akbar.
Gulbadan Begum’s Humayun Nama is one of the few historical works of the Mughal period written by a woman. It provides unique insights into the royal harem life, family dynamics, and political events from a female perspective, offering a valuable supplement to official court chronicles.
Gulbadan Begum was commissioned by her nephew Emperor Akbar to write her recollections of Babur and Humayun to assist Abu’l-Fazl in writing the Akbarnama. Her memoir is considered a primary source for the history of Babur and Humayun.

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8. Who gifted the Badshah Nama to King George in 1799 ?

Who gifted the Badshah Nama to King George in 1799 ?

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Abul Fazl
Abdul Hamid Lahori
Nawab of Awadh
William Jones
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The Nawab of Awadh gifted the *Badshah Nama* to King George in 1799.
The illustrated manuscript of the *Badshah Nama*, a chronicle of the reign of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, that is now housed in the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle, was presented to King George III by Nawab Saadat Ali Khan II of Awadh in 1799.
Abul Fazl was the author of *Akbarnama*, a chronicle of Emperor Akbar’s reign, not Shah Jahan’s. Abdul Hamid Lahori was the principal author of the *Badshah Nama* during Shah Jahan’s reign, but he was the writer, not the person who gifted the manuscript to King George III much later. Sir William Jones was a renowned orientalist and founder of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, known for his studies of Indian languages and literature, but he was not the one who presented this specific gift.

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9. ‘Chandimangala’ was composed in which one of the following languages d

‘Chandimangala’ was composed in which one of the following languages during the 16th century CE?

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Sanskrit
Tamil
Bengali
Oriya
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‘Chandimangala’ is a major work within the genre of Mangal Kavya, which are narrative poems composed in medieval Bengal (typically between the 13th and 18th centuries) in praise of folk deities. These kavyas were written in the Bengali language. Notable composers of Chandimangala include Mukundaram Chakravarti (16th century) and Kavi Kankan Mukunda.
‘Chandimangala’ is a type of Mangal Kavya, a genre of devotional poetry composed in Bengali.
Mangal Kavyas are an important part of Bengali literature and represent the transition from Sanskrit-centric religious texts to vernacular literature accessible to a wider audience. They often combine mythological narratives with social observations and everyday life.

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