Explanations:The term "Tarikh" or "Tawarikh" refers to historical records or chronicles. These records were crucial for documenting the events, administrative decisions, and cultural life of the Mughal Empire, which ruled much of the Indian subcontinent from the 16th to the 19th century. The choice of language for these records was significant, as it reflected the cultural and administrative preferences of the ruling class.
Persian was the language of the Mughal court and administration. The Mughal emperors, who were of Central Asian and Persian descent, favored Persian as the language of governance, literature, and culture. Persian was not only the language of the court but also the medium for official correspondence, administrative documents, and historical records. This preference for Persian was part of the broader Persianate culture that influenced the Mughal Empire, which included elements of Persian art, literature, and administrative practices.
Historical records written in Persian during the Mughal period include important works such as the "Akbarnama" by Abul Fazl, which chronicles the reign of Emperor Akbar, and the "Badshahnama" by Abdul Hamid Lahori, which documents the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan. These works are invaluable sources for understanding the history, culture, and administration of the Mughal Empire.
While Arabic was also used, particularly for religious texts and some historical records, it was not the primary language for official and administrative purposes. Urdu, which developed later as a blend of Persian, Arabic, and local Indian languages, was not yet established as a literary language during the early Mughal period. Hindi, as a written language, was not widely used for official records during the Mughal era.
Understanding the language of historical records is crucial for comprehending the cultural and administrative context of the Mughal Empire. Persian was the dominant language for official and administrative purposes, making it the language of choice for historical records and chronicles.