Who among the following is said to have witnessed the reigns of eight Delhi Sultans?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the lifespan and contributions of each historical figure.

Correct Answer: D) Amir Khusrau.

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Explanations:

Balban (1266-1287)

Jalaluddin Khalji (1290-1296)

Alauddin Khalji (1296-1316)

Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah (1316-1320)

Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq (1320-1325)

Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1325-1351)

Firuz Shah Tughlaq (1351-1388)

Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq II (1320-1325)

Option Analysis:

Option A: Ziauddin Barani was a historian and scholar who wrote extensively about the Delhi Sultanate, but his lifespan did not cover the reigns of eight sultans. He lived during the reigns of a few sultans, primarily Alauddin Khalji and Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq.
Option B: Shams-i-siraj Afif was a historian who wrote about the Tughlaq dynasty, but his lifespan did not cover the reigns of eight sultans. He lived during the later part of the Delhi Sultanate period.
Option C: Minhaj-us-siraj was a historian and author of the "Tabaqat-i-Nasiri," which covers the early Delhi Sultanate period. However, his lifespan did not extend to the reigns of eight sultans. He lived during the reigns of Iltutmish and his successors.
Option D: Amir Khusrau was a poet, scholar, and musician who lived from 1253 to 1325. His long life spanned the reigns of eight Delhi Sultans, including Balban, Jalaluddin Khalji, Alauddin Khalji, Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah, Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, Muhammad bin Tughlaq, Firuz Shah Tughlaq, and Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq II. This makes him the correct answer.