[Solved] Jiz Muhammad Shahi: The Astronomical Tables of Jai Singh

The book 'Jiz Muhammad Shahi', related to astrology and produced in 1733, was written by:

[R.A.S./R.T.S. Pre 2007]

Detailed Solution:

The correct answer is C.

Sawai Jai Singh II was a unique polymath among Indian royalty. He was dissatisfied with existing astronomical tables and sought to create more accurate data for calendars and astrological predictions.

Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur wrote the book 'Jiz Muhammad Shahi' (completed around 1733). It is a comprehensive set of astronomical tables dedicated to the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. 'Jiz' is a generic term for books that tabulate the positions of stars and planets for calculations.

Jai Singh was a scientific visionary who also built the Jantar Mantar observatories to verify the data he compiled in this book.

The work combined traditional Indian astronomy with contemporary Islamic and European observations available to him.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"Why did Jai Singh build the Jantar Mantars?"

He found that brass instruments were inaccurate over time and built massive stone instruments to provide more stable and precise data for his 'Jiz'.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"Jiz Muhammad Shahi represents a high point of scientific inquiry in India during a time of great political instability."

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