M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015

Persian Epic Tradition

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Who was the author of 'Shahnama'?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept The Shahnama is one of the world's longest epic poems, serving as the cultural cornerstone of the Persian-speaking world and influencing Indo-Persian culture.

Explanation Firdausi authored the Shahnama (Book of Kings) between 977 and 1010 CE. He dedicated the work to Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni.

Logical Breakup
Option B is Correct: The poem contains 50,000 rhyming couplets chronicling the mythical and historical past of Persia.
Impact: It was instrumental in reviving the Persian language after the Arab conquests.

Active Recall

Question

What is the subject of the Shahnama?

Answer

The mythical and historical history of the Persian Empire from the dawn of time to the Islamic conquest.

Core Insight

The Shahnama's preservation of pre-Islamic Persian identity made it a beloved text in the courts of medieval Indian Sultans and Mughals.