Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 267

What was the language of the administration under Delhi Sultans?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the cultural and administrative influences of the Delhi Sultanate.

Correct Answer: C) Persian

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 13th to the 16th century. During this time, the Delhi Sultanate was influenced by various cultural and administrative practices from the Islamic world, particularly from Persia. The Persian language played a significant role in the administration of the Delhi Sultanate.

Persian, also known as Farsi, was the language of the court and the official language of administration. This was due to several reasons. First, many of the rulers and administrators of the Delhi Sultanate were of Persian or Central Asian origin, and they brought with them the cultural and administrative practices of their homelands. Second, Persian was the lingua franca of the Islamic world, used extensively in literature, administration, and diplomacy. As a result, Persian became the language of the court, official documents, and literary works during the Delhi Sultanate period.

It is important to note that while Persian was the language of administration, the common people in the Delhi Sultanate spoke a variety of languages, including Hindi, various regional dialects, and other local languages. The use of Persian in administration did not necessarily reflect the language spoken by the general populace. Instead, it was a reflection of the cultural and administrative influence of Persian-speaking rulers and the widespread use of Persian in the Islamic world.

Arabic, while important for religious purposes and the Quran, was not the language of administration. Urdu, which developed later as a blend of Persian, Arabic, and local Indian languages, was not yet established as a distinct language during the Delhi Sultanate period. Therefore, Persian was the dominant language used for official and literary purposes in the administration of the Delhi Sultanate.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: Incorrect. Arabic was not the language of administration under the Delhi Sultans. While Arabic was used for religious purposes, Persian was the official language for administrative and literary purposes.
  • Option B: Incorrect. Urdu developed later and was not the language of administration during the Delhi Sultanate period. Persian was the dominant language for official and literary purposes.
  • Option C: Correct. Persian was the language of administration under the Delhi Sultans. It was used for official documents, court proceedings, and literary works due to the cultural and administrative influence of Persian-speaking rulers.
  • Option D: Incorrect. Hindi was not the language of administration during the Delhi Sultanate period. Persian was the official language used for administrative purposes.

Mnemonic: P for Persian, P for Power, P for Persia

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