SHRI RAM MURTI SMARAK ENGINEERING

INSTITUTIONS
Subject Name:- Indian Tradition, Culture and Society
Subject Code- KNC/502/602
Unit- II
Lecture.3
Topic Name :- Indian Languages & Literature (Persian,
Urdu & Hindi) Part-1
Dr. Ashok Kumar
SRMS, Collage of Law
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 1
 Content
1:- Persian Language & Literature
2:- Urdu Language & Literature
3:- Hindi Language & Literature

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 2

 Indian Language & Literature
(Persian, Urdu & Hindi)
Persian Language & Literature
• During the Medieval period Persian was the most popular
language and it replaced Sanskrit at least in those parts where the
Muslim ruled.
• Prof. Sherwani has observed that, Persian slowly but surely took
the place of Sanskrit as the cementing force of the country, and
held its own till it had become effete and was given a violent jerk
by the English language.
• During the Medieval Period, Hindus and Muslims, whose mother
tongue was not Persian, vied with each other to learn this language
of culture, and India produced Persian literature in all its branches,
which compared well with the literature of Persia.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 3
 Continued…
• Persian was saturated so much in the rising languages of
the country that it contributed thousands of words to
vocabulary not merely of Hindi and Urdu but also of
Bengali, Marathi and Gujarati and even now the attempt
to eradicate these words from our language has not met
with success.
• Though Persian language flourished maximum under the
Mughals, it continued to receive encouragement during
the Turko-Afghan times also. The Turks-Afghan rulers
encouraged the Persian scholars, writers, poets and
philosophers to produce monumental works.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 4
 Continued…
Some important persian literature are as follows-
1. Chach-Nama- Chach-Nama was originally written in
Arabic. It was translated into Persian by Muhammad Ali-
bin-Abu Bakr Kufi during the period of Nasir-ud-din
Qubachah. It provides an account of the history of the
Arab conquest.
2. Taj-ul-Maasir- Hasan Nizami is the author of this book
and he covers the period from 1192 to 1228 AD. It is
considered as a reliable account on the career and reign
of Qutub-ud-din Aibak and the early years of Iltutmish.
Hasan Nizami was a contemporary of these two rulers.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 5
 Continued…
3. Tabkat-i-Nasiri- It was written by Minhajuddin Siraj in
Persian. Sultan lltutmish took Minhajuddin Siraj under his
service in 1228 A.D. He, therefore, remained in the services
of the state till the rule of Sultan Nasiruddin except for a
period of one year.
• Tabkat-i-Nasiri is a detailed text. Minhaj described in it not
only the events of the period of rule of the Sultans of the
slave-dynasty.
• But also the events beginning with the rise of Islamic rule
of different Khalifas and rulers of Iran, the history of the
Ghaznavis and the Ghur-dynasty and the attacks of the
Mongols on MuslimIndian
kingdoms.
Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 6
 Continued…
• Besides, Minhaj gave his account in a
chronological order and interpreted them also. It
has also been accepted that though Minhaj was a
religious minded person and mostly worked as a
Qazi, yet his description is free from religious
bigotry.
• Therefore, this description has been accepted
fairly reliable and later historians like Ziauddin
Barni used Tabkat-i-Nasiri for their own writings.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 7
 Continued…
4.The Khazain-ul-Fatuh- Amir Khusrao, the author of
this book was pre-eminently a poet. He was a
contemporary of all rulers of Delhi from Jalal-ud-din
Khalji to Muhammad Bin Tughlaq.
• He has exaggerated the achievements of Ala-ud-din, his
patron. Nevertheless this work is considered of great
merit. It was written in Persian.
5. Tarikh-i-Firozshahi- Zia-ud-din Barani is the author of
this book. Barani was the contemporary of Ghias-ud-din
Tughlaq, Muhammad bin Tughlaq and Firoz Tughlaq.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 8
 Continued…
• His work begins with the accession of Balban and
comes down to the sixth year of the reign of Firoz
Tughlaq. It was completed in 1359. It has ignored
chronological arrangement. It is full of anecdotes
• At times Barani is guilty of distortion of facts. Barani
held an important post in the revenue department and
he has described revenue matters in detail. Barani was
a highly educated person.
6. Fatawah-i-Jahandari- This book is also written by
Zia-ud-din Barani.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 9
 Continued…

• In this work, Barani provides details of his views on

government policies-religious and secular. Barani
considered this political code as an ideal one for a
Muslim ruler to follow.
7. Tarikh-i-Firozshahi by Shams-i-Siraj Afiq- Afiq also
wrote several texts. Among them, Tarikh- i-Firozshahi
written by him has been regarded as a good historical
source-material. He was at the court of Sultan Firoz Shah
though he did not prepare his text under the patronage of
the Sultan.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 10
 Continued…
• He prepared it after the invasion of AmirTimur. Afiq
gave a vivid account of the events, administration,
society and cultural life of the people during the period
of Sultan Firoz Tughluq and, therefore, Tarikh-i-
Firozshahi written by him has been regarded much
useful.
8. Futuhat-i-Ferozshahi- It is a small text written by
Sultan Firoz himself. The primary purpose of Sultan
Firoz in writing this text was to justify himself as an
ideal Muslim ruler.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 11

 Continued…
• Therefore, he did not describe his activities for the
extension of the Empire as the title of the text signifies
but his efforts for the propagation of Islam among his
subject. The text provides useful information
concerning the administration of Sultan Firoz.
9. Works of Amir Khusrau- Abul Hasan Yaminuddin
Khusrau was one of the best scholars and poets of his
age. He was a witness to the reign of Sultan Balban
and got patronage of the Khilji rulers and even that of
Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 12
 Continued…
• Primarily, Khusrau was not a historian but a poet. None
of his work, therefore, can be considered historical
material. Yet, as he described the events in a
chronological order and honestly, much useful historical
knowledge has been derived from his writings. Khusrau
wrote much.
• However, important among his writings were Qirat-us-
Sadain, Miftah-ul-Futuh, Ashiqa, Tughlaqanama, Tarikh-
i-Alai, etc. Much of his writings were in form of poems
though some of them were written in prose as well. Put
together, his writings provide us good historical source-
material. Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 13
 Continued…
10. Tarikh-i-Mubarakshahi- It was written by Yahiya bin
Ahmad of Sirhind, who enjoyed the patronage of the Sayyid
ruler, Mubarak Shah.
• Yahiya bin Ahmed began the history from the accession to
the throne by Muhammad of Ghur and finished at the
accession to the throne of Delhi by the third ruler of the
Sayyid dynasty, Sultan Muhammad Shah.
• He took help of several texts for writing Tarikh-i-
Mubarakshahi which is the only contemporary literary
source material for knowing the history of the rule of the
Sayyids. It has been regarded as useful text and several later
historians took its help in their writings.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 14
 Continued..
11. Tuzuk-i-Baburi- It is the autobiography of the
Mughul emperor, Babur written in Turki. It was
translated by several persons in Persian during the
period of the Mughals. Afterwards, it has been
translated into several European languages including
English and French.
• The Tuzuk-i-Baburi or the memories of Babur has
provided us information not only concerning the events
of life of Babur but also about his character, personality,
knowledge, capability, weakness, merriments etc.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 15
 Continued…
• The description of Babur is quite authentic. It is possible
that Babur failed to understand particular individuals of
circumstances and, therefore, gave wrong descriptions as
is the case with his description of Indian affairs and
people. It can be said, however, that he tried his best to
adhere to the truth.
• Babur also gave the description of India in the Tuzuk-i-
Baburi. He described its geographical condition, climate,
rivers, political condition, different states and their rulers
as well as the clothing, food and living condition of the
people.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 16
 Continued…
• He was not impressed by the Indians and their living
conditions when he first came in contact with them. He
wrote: “Here the people are neither beautiful nor cultured.
• However, with certain limitations, the Tuzuk-i-Baburi has
been regarded as a useful and authentic source material of
contemporary history and culture.
• Babur expressed that another good thing in Hindustan was
that workmen of every kind were available here in large
number and hundreds of workers worked daily on his
buildings at Agra, Sikri, Bayana, Dholpur, Gwalior and Kol.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 17

 Continued…
• He described that every group of workmen belonged to a
particular caste and every caste was pursuing his
profession from generations. Babur also described the
political condition of India and also his battles against
his enemies here.
• He gave description of the Muslim rulers of Delhi,
Gujarat, Bahmani, Malwa and Bengal and Hindu rulers
of Mewar and Vijayanagar. He described his battles
against Daulat Khan Lodi, Ibrahim Lodi and Rana
Sangram Singh and gave the number of soldiers as well
as the fighting tactics of the contending parties and the
causes of his success against them.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 18
 Continued…
• However, with certain limitations, the Tuzuk-i-Baburihas
been regarded as a useful and authentic source material
of contemporary history. It has been accepted as a good
literary work as well.
12. Tarikh-i-Rashidi- It was written by Mirza Mahammad
Haider Dughlah who was a cousin of Emperor Babur. It
was written in Persian. Mirza Haider was a witness to
many events during the reign of Babur and Humayun,
fought with Humayun, against Sher Shah at the battle of
Kannauj, conquered a part of Kashmir at the direction of
Humayun and finally died there.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 19
 Continued…
• Tarikh-i-Rashidi was divided into two parts by him. In
the first part of it, he described the history of the Mughal
emperors between the period 1347-1553 A.D. and, in the
second described the events of his own life up to 1541
A.D. The text of the second part has been regarded more
useful for the students of history.
13. Humayun-nama- It was written in Persian by
Gulbadan Begum, the daughter of Babur and real sister
of Prince Hindal. It was written during the reign of
Akbar at his instructions.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 20
 Continued…
• She described the later events of the rule of Babur and
the events of the reign of the emperors but emphasized
on the character, personalities and family relations of the
Emperors. Therefore, the historical importance of the
text is reduced.
14. Tarikh-i-Sher Shahi or Tauhfa-i-Akbar-Shahi- It was
written by Abbas Khan Sarwani in Persian at the
instruction of Akbar. Only a part of it is available. Abbas
Khan Sarwani described only those events which he
could come to know from those of his close relatives or
other people who were in know of things.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 21
 Continued…
• He also described the source-material of every event
which he mentioned in the text so that its readers might
not doubt the authenticity of his writing. Therefore,
Tarikh-i-Sher Shahi has been regarded as an authentic
source-material.
15. Tarikh-i-Firishta- Firishta wrote this text while he
was in the service of Adil Shah II, the ruler of Bijapur.
His text is a history of India during the medieval period.
Firishta consulted several Persian texts while preparing
his text. Tarikh-i-Firishta has been regarded as a
renowned historical text and an authentic one.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 22
 Continued…
16. Akbar-nama- It was written by Abul-Fazal in
Persian. It has been divided into three parts. The first
part deals with the history of the Mughals from the
reign of Amir Timur up to the reign of Humayun. In
the second and the third parts has been given the
history of the rule of Akbar up to the year 1602 A.D.
• While describing the events Abul-Fazal gave an
introduction to each of them in which he referred to
the cause of that event, Describing the history of the
reign of Babur, he tried to cover the gaps of Tuzuk-i-
Baburi.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 23
 Continued…
• He described the events of the reign of Humayun in
detail and gave the description of the contest of
Humayun against Sher Shah. Regarding Akbar’s reign,
he described in detail the campaigns of Akbar, his
policies, their causes as well as their effects. Therefore,
the Akbar-nama is a very useful source material of
knowing the history of the Mughals. But it suffers from
certain defects also.
17. Ain-i-Akbari- It has also been written in Persian by
Abul-Fazal. In it Abul-Fazal has not described the
political events of the reign of Akbar but his
administration, laws, rules, regulations, etc.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 24
 Continued…
• Abul-Fazal narrated in it the facts concerning the royal
treasury, the coinage, the Harem, the royal-stable,
court-ceremonies, salaries and status of civil and
military officers, justice and revenue administration,
sources of the income of the state and items of
expenditure, Din-i-llahi of Akbar, foreign aggressions,
Hindu and Muslim saints and scholars, etc.
• Therefore, the Ain-i-Akbari has been regarded a
precious source- material of knowing the culture and
administration during the reign of Akbar

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 25

 Continued…
18. Tabaqat-i-Akbari- It was written by Khwaja Nizam-
ud-din Ahmad. It is a general history from the beginning
of the Muslim rule in India to the thirty-ninth year of the
reign of Akbar.
19. Muntakhab-ut-Tawarikh or Tarikh-i-Badauni- Its
writer was Abdul Qadir Badauni who was a scholar of
Arabic, Persian and Sanskrit during the reign of Akbar.
He had been a fellow- student of Abul-Fazal and was
jealous of him because Abul-Fazal commanded more
respect in the eyes of Emperor, Akbar. Badauni gradually
became the supporter of the group of fanatic Sunnis.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 26
 Continued…
• Badauni criticized severely the religious views and
policy of Akbar. Therefore, he disclosed its second
part only after the accession of Jahangir to the
throne. In the third part, Badauni described the lives
and activities of contemporary saints and scholars.
• The description of Badauni is biased against Akbar.
Yet, it helps modern historians in understanding the
other side of the reign of Akbar. Therefore, the
Tarikh-i-Badauni has been regarded as a useful
source material.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 27
 Continued…
20. Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri- It is the autobiography of Emperor
Jahangir. Jahangir wrote the events of his reign beginning
from his accession to the throne to the seventeenth year of
his reign.
• Afterwards, he gave the responsibility of writing his
biography to his Bakshi, Mutamid Khan. Mutamid Khan
completed it only up to the beginning of the nineteenth
year of the reign of Jahangir.
21. Iqbai-nama- It was written by Mutamid Khan who
wrote the later part of the biography of Jahangir for nearly
two years. The text has been divided into three parts.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 28
 Continued…
• In its first part, Mutamid Khan described the history of the
family of Amir Timur including the history of the reigns of
Babur and Humayun. In the second part, he narrated the history
of the reign of Akbar. In the third part, he narrated the history of
the rule of Jahangir.
22. Padshah-nama- Written by Muhammad Amin Qazuini
Shahjahan ordered Qazuini to write the history of his reign. He
wrote the history only of the first ten yea of Shahjahan’s reign.
He was then asked to discontinue the work.
23. Padshah-nama was written by Abdul Hamid Lahauri-
When Muhammad Amin Qazuini was asked to discontinue the
writing of the history of the reign of Shahjahan. Abdul Hamid
Lahauri was assigned his task.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 29
 Continued…
24. Padshah-nama of Muhammad Waris- When Abdul
Hamid Lahauri became old, the responsibility of
completing the history of the rest of the period of
Shahjahan was assigned to his disciple Muhammad
Waris. Muhammad Waris wrote the complete history of
the reign of Shahjahan.
25. Muntakhan-ul-Lubab- Its author was Hashim Khafi
Khan. Beginning with the attacks of Babur on India, it
described the history of the Mughals to the first fifteen
years of the rule of later Mughal Emperor Muhammad
Shah.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 30
 Continued…
• Khafi Khan described the events of the reign of
Aurangzeb in detail. He claimed that he wrote an
objective history of the period. Yet, his certain
descriptions prove that he was biased.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 31

 Important Questions
Q1.Give a brief account of the Persian
Literature.
Q2. Write short note on Urdu Literature.
Q3. Write short note on Hindi Language and
Literature.
Q4. Write short note on Tulsi Das.
Q5. Write short notes on Sur Das.

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 32

 References
• Reference Books:-
1. V.D. Mahajan, Ancient India
2. R. S. Sharma, India’s Ancient Past
3. A.L. Basam, The wonder that was India
4. D.N. Jha, Ancient India
5. U.S. Singh, Ancient India
6. S.R. Myneni, Ancient India
• Notes:- IGNOU.
Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 33
Thank You

Indian Tradition, Culture & Society/ Unit II 34