UPPCS Pre 2013

Mughal Literary Synthesis

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Who translated the Ramayan into Persian under Akbar's wishes?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept Akbar established the *Maktab Khana
(Translation Bureau) to foster religious understanding. He believed that if the ruling elite read Hindu epics, it would reduce communal friction.

Explanation
Abdul Qadir Badauni, despite his personal orthodox views, was ordered by Akbar to translate the Ramayana and the Mahabharata into Persian. He completed the Persian Ramayana in 1589 after four years of labor.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: While Abul Fazl was the court historian, the actual task of translating the major epics was often given to scholars like Badauni who were proficient in both languages.
Logic 2: Badauni's *Muntakhab-ut-Tawarikh* mentions his struggle and eventual completion of these Hindu texts under imperial command.

Active Recall

Question

What was the Persian name for the translated Mahabharata?

Answer

It was titled 'Razmnama', meaning the Book of War.

Core Insight

The translation of the Ramayana shows that the Mughal court was a site of deep intellectual engagement with Indian civilization, regardless of the translators' personal beliefs.