Sultanate Historiography

Matching Delhi Sultanate Authors to Historical Texts

Ziyauddin Barani wrote Tarikh-i-Firozshahi, Hasan Nizami wrote Taj-ul-Maasir, Minhaj wrote Tabaqat-i-Nasiri, and Yahia authored Tarikh-i-Mubarakshahi.

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

Archived:

Updated:

Match list-I with list-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List-I
A. Ziyauddin Barani
B. Hasan Nizami
C. Minhaj-usSiraj
D. Yahia-binAhmad
List-II
1. Tarikh-i-Mubarakshahi
2. Tabqat-i-Nasiri
3. Tarikh-i-Firozshahi
4. Taj-ul-Maasir
5. Tabaqat-i-Akbari

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1997]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept


The history of the Delhi Sultanate is constructed through specific courtly genres: official annals (Taj-ul-Maasir), general histories (Tabaqat), and political treatises.

Authentic Source Evidence


  • Barani: Tarikh-i-Firozshahi, a comprehensive Sultanate history.

  • Hasan Nizami: Taj-ul-Maasir, focus on the Ghorid/Slave dynasty.

  • Minhaj: Tabaqat-i-Nasiri, a universal history of Islam ending in 1260.

  • Yahia-bin-Ahmad: Tarikh-i-Mubarakshahi, focus on the Sayyid dynasty.
  • Analytical Breakdown


  • A-3: Barani's work is a masterpiece of political and economic history.

  • B-4: Nizami's text is highly ornate and provides early administrative details.

  • C-2: Minhaj's work is the most reliable source for the first 50 years of Delhi rule.

  • D-1: Sirhindi's work is the primary source for the short-lived Sayyid rulers.
  • Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

    "Which author provides information on the Sayyid dynasty?"

    Yahia-bin-Ahmad Sirhindi in his work 'Tarikh-i-Mubarakshahi'.

    Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

    "Each Sultanate historian selected a different 'slice' of history, providing a layered understanding of the evolution of the Islamic state in India."

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