Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 271

Consider the following Statements: Sanskrit was the official language of the court in delhi sultanate. Persian was the administrative language under Delhi Sultans. Firoz Shah Tughlaq changed his capital from Delhi to Devagiri in deccan and named its Daulatabad Which of the following statement(s) is/are true?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the official and administrative languages used during the Delhi Sultanate and the capital

Correct Answer: D) Only 2, 3.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Civil Services, State PSC

Difficulty: Moderate

Explanations:

The Delhi Sultanate was a period of Muslim rule in India that lasted from the early 13th century to the mid-16th century. During this time, the administrative language used by the Delhi Sultans was Persian, not Sanskrit. Persian was widely used for official documents, court proceedings, and administrative purposes. This was due to the influence of Persian culture and the fact that many of the Delhi Sultans were of Central Asian origin, where Persian was a dominant language.

The first statement, which claims that Sanskrit was the official language of the court in the Delhi Sultanate, is incorrect. Sanskrit, while a significant language in Indian history and culture, was not the official language of the court during the Delhi Sultanate. The Delhi Sultans adopted Persian as the administrative language, which facilitated communication and administration across their diverse empire.

The second statement, which asserts that Persian was the administrative language under the Delhi Sultans, is correct. Persian was indeed the language used for official documents, decrees, and administrative purposes. This was a continuation of the practice established by earlier Muslim rulers in India and was maintained throughout the Delhi Sultanate period.

The third statement, which states that Firoz Shah Tughlaq changed his capital from Delhi to Devagiri in the Deccan and renamed it Daulatabad, is also correct. Firoz Shah Tughlaq, who ruled from 1351 to 1388, made several significant changes during his reign, including the relocation of his capital. He moved the capital from Delhi to Devagiri, a city in the Deccan region, and renamed it Daulatabad. This move was part of his broader strategy to consolidate his power and expand his influence into the southern regions of India.

Therefore, the correct answer is that only statements 2 and 3 are true. The first statement is false, as Sanskrit was not the official language of the court during the Delhi Sultanate. Understanding the historical context and the administrative practices of the Delhi Sultanate is crucial for correctly identifying the true statements.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This option is incorrect because it includes the statement that Sanskrit was the official language of the court in the Delhi Sultanate, which is false. Persian was the administrative language, not Sanskrit.
  • Option B: This option is incorrect because it includes the statement that Sanskrit was the official language of the court in the Delhi Sultanate, which is false. Persian was the administrative language, not Sanskrit.
  • Option C: This option is incorrect because it includes the statement that Sanskrit was the official language of the court in the Delhi Sultanate, which is false. Persian was the administrative language, not Sanskrit.
  • Option D: This option is correct because it correctly identifies that Persian was the administrative language under the Delhi Sultans and that Firoz Shah Tughlaq changed his capital from Delhi to Devagiri in the Deccan and renamed it Daulatabad.

Mnemonic: PFD: Persian, Firoz, Daulatabad

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