Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
Which Mughal ruler patronaged Kavindra Acharya Saraswati of Banaras, a great scholar of Sanskrit and Hindi?
Solution & Analysis
Answer: C
Concept
While Shah Jahan is famously known for his architectural marvels, his reign also witnessed a flourishing of Sanskrit literature and scholarship, continuing the inclusive cultural traditions of his predecessors.Explanation
Shah Jahan patronized the 17th-century Sanskrit scholar and poet Kavindra Acharya Saraswati of Banaras. The Emperor was so impressed by his erudition in Sanskrit grammar, philosophy, and music that he bestowed upon him the title of Kavindracharya.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Kavindracharya was a prolific writer who led a delegation to Shah Jahan to successfully petition for the abolition of the pilgrimage tax at Banaras and Prayagraj.
Logic 2: Other notable scholars under Shah Jahan included Pandit Jagannath, who composed the *Ras Gangadhar*. This era saw a peak in Sanskrit-Persian intellectual exchange before the shift in policies under later rulers.