The correct answer is: A. Ziauddin Barani
Ziauddin Barani was an 11th-century historian who served as a minister in the court of the Delhi Sultanate. He is best known for his chronicle, Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi, which covers the reigns of eight Delhi Sultans from Balban to Firuz Shah Tughluq.
Barani was born in the town of Baran in the Punjab region of India. He received a traditional Islamic education and became a scholar of Islamic law. He entered the service of the Delhi Sultanate in the early 13th century and rose to the position of minister.
Barani was a staunch supporter of the sultanate and its policies. He was a critic of the Sufis and other religious groups that he saw as a threat to the sultanate. He was also a critic of the Mongols, who were a constant threat to the Delhi Sultanate.
Barani’s chronicle is an important source of information on the history of the Delhi Sultanate. It is a valuable source on the political, social, and economic conditions of the time.
The other options are incorrect because:
- Shams-i-siraj Afif was a 14th-century historian who served as a minister in the court of the Delhi Sultanate. He is best known for his chronicle, Tarikh-i-Mubarak Shahi, which covers the reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq.
- Minhaj-us-siraj was a 13th-century historian who served as a minister in the court of the Delhi Sultanate. He is best known for his chronicle, Tabaqat-i-Nasiri, which covers the history of the Delhi Sultanate from its founding to the reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq.
- Amir Khusrau was a 13th-century poet, musician, and scholar who served in the court of the Delhi Sultanate. He is best known for his poetry, which is considered to be one of the finest examples of Indo-Persian literature.