Who wrote Rajatarangini The history of kashmir?

Category: Jammu And Kashmir Gk

Hint: Consider the historical period and the region associated with the text.

Correct Answer: C) Kalhana

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, State PSC

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

Rajatarangini is a significant historical text that provides a detailed account of the history of Kashmir. The text is written in Sanskrit and is divided into eight books, each covering a different period of Kashmir's history. The author of Rajatarangini is Kalhana, a 12th-century Kashmiri poet and historian. Kalhana's work is notable for its literary style and the historical accuracy of the events it describes.

Kalhana lived during the reign of King Jayasimha of Kashmir and was a court poet. He wrote Rajatarangini in the 12th century, drawing on a variety of sources, including earlier texts, inscriptions, and oral traditions. The text covers the history of Kashmir from the earliest times to the 12th century, providing valuable insights into the political, social, and cultural history of the region.

The significance of Rajatarangini lies in its comprehensive coverage of Kashmir's history and its use of a literary style that makes it both a historical document and a work of literature. Kalhana's work has been influential in the study of Kashmiri history and has been translated into several languages, making it accessible to a wider audience.

It is important to distinguish Rajatarangini from other historical texts and to recognize the specific contributions of Kalhana. Other historical figures mentioned in the options, such as Chandbardai, Alberuni, and Firoz Shah Tughlaq, are associated with different historical contexts and regions, and their works are not related to the history of Kashmir as chronicled in Rajatarangini.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Chandbardai is known for writing the epic poem "Prithviraj Raso," which is about the life of Prithviraj Chauhan. This option is incorrect as it is not related to the Rajatarangini.
Option B: Alberuni was a Persian scholar and historian who wrote extensively about India, but he did not write Rajatarangini. This option is incorrect as it does not pertain to the Kashmiri historical text.
Option C: Kalhana is the correct author of Rajatarangini. He was a Kashmiri poet and historian who wrote the text in the 12th century, providing a detailed account of the history of Kashmir. This option is correct.
Option D: Firoz Shah Tughlaq was a Sultan of the Tughlaq dynasty and not associated with the writing of Rajatarangini. This option is incorrect as it does not relate to the authorship of the historical text.

Mnemonic: K for Kashmir, K for Kalhana

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