Mughal & Travellers — Set 3

Correct Answer: A. Bhimsen Burhanpuri

• **Bhimsen Burhanpuri** = He was a Kayastha officer in the Mughal army who authored 'Nuskha-i-Dilkusha', an important source for the Mughal history of the Deccan. • **Late 17th century** — Bhimsen's memoir, 'Nuskha-i-Dilkusha', provides a valuable non-official perspective on Aurangzeb's Deccan campaigns during this period. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Khafi Khan: authored 'Muntakhab-ul-Lubab'; Ishwardas Nagar: wrote 'Fatuhat-i-Alamgiri'; Sujan Rai: known for 'Khulasat-ut-Tawarikh', a general history.

Correct Answer: C. Saqi Mustad Khan

• **Saqi Mustad Khan** = He authored the Persian work 'Maasir-i-Alamgiri', which serves as a full history of Aurangzeb's reign. • **1707** — This year marked Aurangzeb's death, after which Saqi Mustad Khan compiled 'Maasir-i-Alamgiri' using official records, filling a historical gap. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Muhammad Kazim: wrote 'Alamgirnama', an official history covering only the first 10 years of Aurangzeb's reign; Khafi Khan: authored 'Muntakhab-ul-Lubab'; Aqil Khan Razi: wrote 'Waqi'at-i-Alamgiri', a contemporary but unofficial account.

Correct Answer: D. Sir Thomas Roe

• **Sir Thomas Roe** = He was an English ambassador from King James I who came to the court of Jahangir to secure trading rights for the East India Company. • **1615 to 1619** — Sir Thomas Roe resided at the Mughal court during these years, providing a fascinating European perspective on Jahangir's reign. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: William Hawkins: preceded Roe as an English envoy to Jahangir's court but was less successful; Thomas Coryat: an English traveler who journeyed on foot to India, not an official ambassador; Ralph Fitch: one of the earliest English travelers to India (late 16th century), visited Akbar's court.

Correct Answer: A. Abdullah

• **Abdullah** = He authored 'Tarikh-i-Daudi', a work that deals with the history of the Lodi and Sur dynasties. • **Early 17th century** — Abdullah compiled 'Tarikh-i-Daudi' during this period, offering insights into the pre-Mughal Afghan dynasties and their rule. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Abbas Khan Sarwani: wrote 'Tarikh-i-Sher Shahi'; Rizqullah Mushtaqi: wrote 'Waqi'at-e Mushtaqui', covering Lodi and Sur periods with a different focus; Yahya Sirhindi: wrote 'Tarikh-i-Mubarak Shahi' during the Sayyid dynasty.

Correct Answer: C. Sharafuddin Ali Yazdi

• **Sharafuddin Ali Yazdi** = He authored 'Zafarnama', a history of the exploits of Timur (Tamerlane). • **15th century** — Sharafuddin Ali Yazdi composed 'Zafarnama' during this century, a work that became a major inspiration for subsequent Mughal rulers. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Amir Khusrau: a famous Sufi poet and scholar of the 13th-14th century, known for 'Khazain-ul-Futuh'; Mirkhond: a Persian historian, wrote 'Rawzat-us-Safa', a general history, later than Yazdi; Yahya Bin Ahmad: wrote 'Tarikh-i-Mubarak Shahi'.

Correct Answer: D. Hiuen Tsang

• **Hiuen Tsang** = Known as the 'Prince of Pilgrims', he was a Chinese Buddhist monk who visited India during Harsha's reign. • **7th century** — Hiuen Tsang's extensive travels and detailed writings during this century provide invaluable insights into Indian history and Buddhism. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Fa-Hien: visited India during Chandragupta II's reign (5th century), earlier than Harsha; Sung Yun: another Chinese Buddhist monk who visited India in the early 6th century; I-Tsing: a Chinese Buddhist monk who visited India in the late 7th century, after Hiuen Tsang.

Correct Answer: A. Ishwardas Nagar

• **Ishwardas Nagar** = He was a Nagar Brahmin and official in the Mughal administration who authored 'Fatuhat-i-Alamgiri'. • **Late 17th century** — 'Fatuhat-i-Alamgiri' was written during Aurangzeb's reign in this period, offering a unique perspective from a Hindu official. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Muhammad Kazim: wrote 'Alamgirnama', an official history covering only the initial years of Aurangzeb's reign; Bhimsen: wrote 'Nuskha-i-Dilkusha'; Khafi Khan: authored 'Muntakhab-ul-Lubab'.

Correct Answer: D. Jamaluddin Hussain Inju

• **Jamaluddin Hussain Inju** = He compiled the Persian dictionary 'Farhang-i-Jahangiri' under the patronage of Akbar and Jahangir. • **Early 17th century** — The compilation of 'Farhang-i-Jahangiri' during this period showcased the high level of Persian scholarship at the Mughal court. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Faizi: a poet laureate of Akbar's court, known for poetry and commentaries, not this dictionary; Utbi: a historian of Mahmud of Ghazni, wrote 'Tarikh-i Yamini'; Abul Fazl: wrote 'Akbarnama' and 'Ain-i-Akbari'.

Correct Answer: C. Al-Masudi

• **Al-Masudi** = He was a 10th-century Arab traveler, geographer, and historian who described the power of the Rashtrakuta kings. • **10th century** — Al-Masudi's travels during this century provided valuable accounts of India, particularly noting the might of the Rashtrakuta kings. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Al-Biruni: a Persian scholar who came with Mahmud of Ghazni in the early 11th century, authored 'Kitab-ul-Hind'; Ibn Hauqal: a 10th-century Arab geographer, also wrote about India but Al-Masudi is more famously associated with Rashtrakutas; Sulaiman: a 9th-century Arab merchant who visited India, noted the strength of Palas and Rashtrakutas earlier.

Correct Answer: D. Zeb-un-Nissa

• **Zeb-un-Nissa** = She was the eldest daughter of Aurangzeb, a highly educated poetess who wrote poetry under the pen name 'Makhfi'. • **17th century** — Zeb-un-Nissa, a prominent poetess, flourished in the Mughal court during this century, known for her collection 'Diwan-i-Makhfi'. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Gulbadan Begum: Humayun's sister, known for writing 'Humayunama'; Roshanara Begum: another daughter of Shah Jahan, known for political influence; Jahanara Begum: the eldest child of Shah Jahan, renowned architect and patron of Sufism.