[Solved] Who translated the Ramayana into Persian for Akbar?

Who translated the Ramayan into Persian under Akbar's wishes?

[UPPCS Pre 2013]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

Akbar established the Maktab Khana (Translation Bureau) to foster religious understanding. He believed that if the ruling elite read Hindu epics, it would reduce communal friction.

Authentic Source Evidence

Abdul Qadir Badauni, despite his personal orthodox views, was ordered by Akbar to translate the Ramayana and the Mahabharata into Persian. He completed the Persian Ramayana in 1589 after four years of labor.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: While Abul Fazl was the court historian, the actual task of translating the major epics was often given to scholars like Badauni who were proficient in both languages.

Logic 2: Badauni's Muntakhab-ut-Tawarikh mentions his struggle and eventual completion of these Hindu texts under imperial command.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"What was the Persian name for the translated Mahabharata?"

It was titled 'Razmnama', meaning the Book of War.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"The translation of the Ramayana shows that the Mughal court was a site of deep intellectual engagement with Indian civilization, regardless of the translators' personal beliefs."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Maktab Khana 8 Sulh-i-Kul 10

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