[Solved] Abul Fazl and the Discovery of America | Concept & Explanation

The medieval Indian writer who refers to the discovery of America is:

[UPSC CSE Pre 1997]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

The Mughal court was highly intellectual and globally aware. Through trade and European travelers, knowledge of the 'New World' reached India, and it was documented by the empire's most prominent scholars.

Authentic Source Evidence

Abul Fazl, the grand vizier and official historian of Akbar, mentions the discovery of the 'New World' (America) in his encyclopedic work, the Ain-i-Akbari. He was a polymath who kept the Mughal court informed about global developments, including the voyages of European explorers.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Abul Fazl’s work was not just a history of India but a record of all known knowledge of that era.

Logic 2: Other writers like Amir Khusrau or Malik Muhammad Jaisi belonged to earlier periods or focused on devotional literature, whereas Abul Fazl was a contemporary of the early colonial era and had access to global information.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"What was the significance of Abul Fazl's 'Ain-i-Akbari'?"

It was a massive statistical and administrative record of Akbar's empire, providing unmatched detail on social, economic, and cultural life.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"Abul Fazl's awareness of America shows that the Mughal court was not an isolated kingdom but an active participant in the global exchange of ideas."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Ain-i-Akbari 4 Akbarnama 9 Navaratnas 10

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