R.A.S./R.T.S. Pre 2016

Mughal Literary and Cultural Synthesis

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The Persian translation of Mahabharata, which was done in the 16th century is called-

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept Akbar’s 'Maktab Khana' (Translation Bureau) was established to translate Sanskrit classics into Persian. He believed this would bridge the cultural gap between the ruling elite and the Indian masses.

Explanation The Persian translation of the Mahabharata is called the Razmanama (Book of War). Commissioned by Akbar in 1582, it was translated by a team of scholars including Badauni. It was a massive project that also featured hundreds of world-class Mughal miniature illustrations.

Logical Breakup

Logic 1: The name 'Razmanama' specifically captures the epic's central theme of the Kurukshetra war.

Logic 2: Other options like *Alamgirnama* (Aurangzeb) and *Badshahnama* (Shah Jahan) are court chronicles, while *Hamzanama* is a fictional Persian epic.

Active Recall

Question

Who was the chief translator of the Razmanama?

Answer

While it was a group effort, Abdul Qadir Badauni was the prominent scholar who worked on the text under Akbar's direct orders.

Core Insight

The Razmanama was not just a book; it was a diplomatic and cultural statement that the Mughal Emperor was the inheritor of the entire history of India.

The Persian translation of Mahabharata, which was done in the 16th century is called-

Solution & Analysis

Active Recall

Core Insight

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