Mughal Historiography

Matching Mughal Historians: Barahman to Mutamad Khan

Munshi Muhammad Qazim wrote Alamgir Nama, Nizamuddin Ahmad authored Tabaqat-i-Akbari, Chandrabhan Brahman wrote Chahar Chaman, and Mutamad Khan wrote Iqbal Nama-i-Jahangiri.

Primary Reference: NCERT Class XII - Themes in Indian History Part II

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Match list-I with list-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: (Book) (Authors)
A. Alamgir Nama
B. Tabaqat-iAkbari
C. Chahar Chaman
D. Iqbal Nama-i-Jahangiri
1. Muitamad Khan
2. Munshi Mohd. Qazim
3. Chandrabhan Barahman
4. Nizamuddin Ahmad

[RAS/RTS (Pre) 2013]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept


Historical writing in the Mughal era was diverse, including official court annals, general histories, and memoirs by high-ranking officials.

Authentic Source Evidence


  • Alamgir Nama (Qazim): The official history of the first 10 years of Aurangzeb's reign.

  • Tabaqat-i-Akbari (Ahmad): A comprehensive general history covering the Ghaznavids up to Akbar.

  • Chahar Chaman (Barahman): A literary-historical work by a Persian-knowing Hindu officer.

  • Iqbal Nama-i-Jahangiri (Khan): A key source for the reign of Jahangir.
  • Analytical Breakdown


  • A-2: Qazim was Aurangzeb's first official chronicler.

  • B-4: Nizamuddin Ahmad served as Akbar's Mir Bakhshi.

  • C-3: Chandrabhan Brahman reflects the syncretic administrative elite.

  • D-1: Mutamad Khan provides intimate details of Jahangir's court.
  • Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

    "Who wrote the Tabaqat-i-Akbari and why is it significant?"

    Nizamuddin Ahmad; it is significant as one of the first reliable general histories written by a contemporary of Akbar.

    Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

    "The presence of authors like Chandrabhan Brahman in this list highlights the meritocratic integration of non-Muslims into the Mughal intellectual bureaucracy."

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