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R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1994

Administrative and Literary History

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Which among the following languages was patronized by Sultans of Delhi?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept While the ruling elite were of Turkic origin, they adopted Persian as the language of high culture, administration, and literature in India.

Explanation During the Delhi Sultanate, primary historical records (Tarikh) like Minhaj-i-Siraj's Tabaqat-i-Nasiri and Ziauddin Barani's Fatawa-i-Jahandari were written in Persian.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Persian served as the 'lingua franca' of the Islamic world, providing a sophisticated administrative framework for the new Sultans.
Logic 2: Patronage of Persian led to a flowering of historiography and poetry that documented the consolidation of Sultanate rule.

Active Recall

Question

Why was Persian preferred over Turkish by the Sultans?

Answer

Persian was more established as a literary and administrative tool across Asia, whereas Turkish was primarily the language of the military.

Core Insight

The patronage of Persian established a lasting literary tradition that continued into the Mughal era and influenced vernacular development.

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