Question

Which of the following best reflects Akbar’s contribution to the promotion of Persian literature in India?

• A. He banned the use of Persian in the royal court.
• B. He wrote the Tuzuk-i-Baburi in Persian.
• C. He commissioned the translation of the Mahabharata into Persian and supported scholars.
• D. He replaced Persian with Arabic as the court language.

Answer 1

Answer:

C. He commissioned the translation of the Mahabharata into Persian and supported scholars.

Persian Literature Arabic and Persian entered India with the arrival of the Turks and Mongols. Persian, in particular, served as the language of the royal court for several centuries. The Mughal emperors were enthusiastic supporters of learning and literature. Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, wrote his autobiography, the Tuzuk-i-Baburi, in Turkish. However, his grandson Akbar later had it translated into Persian. Akbar also supported numerous scholars and commissioned the translation of the Mahabharata into Persian. Jahangir, another Mughal ruler, authored his autobiography, the Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri, in Persian, which stands out as a remarkable literary work.