[Solved] Who was Mahmud of Ghazni's Court Historian? | Al-Utbi

Who was the court historian of Mahmud of Ghazni?

[U.P.P.C.S. Pre 1991]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

Mahmud of Ghazni patronized many scholars to chronicle his achievements. These histories serve as primary sources for the early 11th-century Turkish raids on India.

Authentic Source Evidence

Abu Nasr Muhammad al-Utbi (commonly known as Al-Utbi) was the official court secretary and historian. He wrote the Tarikh-i-Yamini (or Kitab-i-Yamini), which records the exploits of Mahmud and his father.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Option B is correct. Utbi focused on the religious and political motivations of Mahmud's campaigns.

Logic 2: Firdausi (C) was a poet who wrote the Shahnameh for Mahmud but was not the court 'historian'. Hassan Nizami and Chand Bardai belong to the later Ghori/Chauhan era.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"What is the primary subject of Al-Utbi's Tarikh-i-Yamini?"

It provides a detailed historical account of the rise of the Ghaznavid dynasty and Mahmud's early military expeditions.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"While Utbi provides valuable facts, his work is also known for its flowery, ornate Arabic prose and religious bias common in court chronicles."

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