Question

Discuss Bakhars as an important part of Medieval Indian Historiography.

Answer 1

Instructions:

This is a 5 marks question. There should be at least 5 points here. First mention that Bakhar’s contribution to the Medieval Indian Historiographic tradition. Then mention the subject matter of the Bakhars. State why they are important as historical sources. Finally, give a few examples of Bakhars.

Solution:

• Bakhars are a part of the Medieval Indian Historiographic tradition.
• Bakhars contain the eulogies of the heroes, historic events, stories of lives of great men and descriptions of battles.
• Bakhars portrays a picture of the prevalent society, religions and economic life.
• Bakhars are of various types which contain biographies of kings, dynastic history, description of events, sects, autobiographies, mythologies, administration of kings, etc. These descriptions are helpful for recording historiography.
• Among the well-known Marathi. Bakhars ‘Sabhasad Bakhar’ written by Krishnaji Anant Sabhasad requires a special mention Bhausahebanchi Bakhar and Panipatachi Bakhar describe the ‘Battle of Panipat’.