[Solved] Official Language of Delhi Sultanate: Persian

Which among the following languages was patronized by Sultans of Delhi?

[R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1994]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

While the ruling elite were of Turkic origin, they adopted Persian as the language of high culture, administration, and literature in India.

Authentic Source Evidence

During the Delhi Sultanate, primary historical records (Tarikh) like Minhaj-i-Siraj's Tabaqat-i-Nasiri and Ziauddin Barani's Fatawa-i-Jahandari were written in Persian.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Persian served as the 'lingua franca' of the Islamic world, providing a sophisticated administrative framework for the new Sultans.

Logic 2: Patronage of Persian led to a flowering of historiography and poetry that documented the consolidation of Sultanate rule.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"Why was Persian preferred over Turkish by the Sultans?"

Persian was more established as a literary and administrative tool across Asia, whereas Turkish was primarily the language of the military.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"The patronage of Persian established a lasting literary tradition that continued into the Mughal era and influenced vernacular development."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Minhaj-i-Siraj 2

Analysing authentic R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre)previous year questions is non-negotiable for serious aspirants. Thoroughly decoding past exam trends related to Administrative and Literary History helps you understand the examiner's mindset. Mastering specific entities like Persian patronage and Delhi Sultanate language builds the analytical intuition needed to clear the exam. Practice Previous Year Questions here →