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..... was the language of Tarikh and administration under the Delhi sultans.

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Correct Answer: C) Persian.

Exam Relevance: UPSC Civil Services, State PSC Exams, History Olympiads, Medieval Indian History Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes:

During the Delhi Sultanate period, Persian was the official language used for administrative purposes and for writing historical records known as Tarikhs. This was due to the cultural and political influence of Persian-speaking rulers and the widespread use of Persian in the Islamic world.

Common Mistakes:

Students may confuse Persian with Arabic, as both were influential in the Islamic world.
Some might think Urdu was the language of administration, as it is a descendant of Persian.
English is a common misconception due to its later colonial influence in India.

Explanation:

The Delhi Sultanate was a period in Indian history that lasted from the early 13th century to the mid-16th century. During this time, several dynasties ruled over parts of the Indian subcontinent, including the Mamluk, Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi dynasties. One of the significant cultural and administrative features of the Delhi Sultanate was the use of Persian as the official language.

Persian, also known as Farsi, was the language of the Persian Empire and was widely used in the Islamic world for literature, administration, and diplomacy. The Delhi Sultanate rulers, who were of Turkish and Afghan origin, were influenced by Persian culture and adopted Persian as the language of administration. This was partly due to the fact that many of the early Delhi Sultanate rulers were originally from Central Asia and had been exposed to Persian culture and language.

The use of Persian in the Delhi Sultanate had several implications:

1. **Administrative Language**: Persian was used for all official documents, court proceedings, and administrative communications. This included royal decrees, land grants, and other legal documents.

2. **Historical Records (Tarikhs)**: Persian was the language in which historical records and chronicles were written. These records, known as Tarikhs, documented the events, rulers, and administrative practices of the Delhi Sultanate.

3. **Literary Influence**: Persian literature flourished during this period, with many poets and scholars writing in Persian. This included works of poetry, prose, and historical narratives.

4. **Cultural Integration**: The use of Persian facilitated cultural integration between the ruling elite and the local population, as Persian became a lingua franca for the educated and administrative classes.

It is important to note that while Persian was the official language, the local languages of the regions under the Delhi Sultanate continued to be used by the general populace. However, Persian remained the language of the court and administration, reflecting the cultural and political influence of Persian-speaking rulers.

In summary, Persian was the language of administration and historical records (Tarikhs) during the Delhi Sultanate period due to the cultural and political influence of Persian-speaking rulers and the widespread use of Persian in the Islamic world. This choice of language had significant implications for the administrative practices, cultural integration, and literary development of the period.

Option Analysis:

Option A: English is incorrect. English was not the language of administration during the Delhi Sultanate period. It became significant only after the British colonial period in India. The Delhi Sultanate period predates the British colonial era by several centuries.
Option B: Arabic is incorrect. Although Arabic was the language of the Quran and Islamic religious texts, Persian was the language used for administrative purposes and historical records (Tarikhs) during the Delhi Sultanate. Arabic was not the primary language of administration in the Sultanate.
Option C: Persian is correct. Persian was the official language of administration and historical records (Tarikhs) during the Delhi Sultanate period. This was due to the cultural and political influence of Persian-speaking rulers and the widespread use of Persian in the Islamic world. Persian was used for official documents, court proceedings, and literary works.
Option D: Urdu is incorrect. Urdu, a language that developed later in India, was not the language of administration during the Delhi Sultanate period. Urdu emerged as a distinct language after the Delhi Sultanate period, influenced by Persian, Arabic, and local Indian languages.

Mnemonic: PERSIAN: Persian Empire, Royal, Sultans, Indian Administration, Not English

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..... was the language of Tarikh and administration under the Delhi sultans.

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