Question

Historians in the courts of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Sultanate, had varying practices when it came to recording the events of history during that period. Which of the following instances serve the purpose of historiography?

• A. Ziauddin Barani stated that historians should write about the victories and failings of the rulers.
• B. The historians in the Mughal court focussed on praising the Emperor and showing their loyalty without any objective evaluation.
• C. Abul Fazl wrote a biography of the Mughal Emperor Akbar by careful evaluation and analysis of authentic source materials.
• D. The Mughal Emperor Babur wrote an autobiography, in which he recorded detailed descriptions of his battles, regions he visited, and the local economy and customs.

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (C), (D)

The Mughal Emperor Babur wrote an autobiography, in which he recorded detailed descriptions of his battles, regions he visited, and the local economy and customs.

Ziauddin Barani stated the purpose of historiography. He said that historians should not just write about a ruler’s victories and policies of welfare, but should also write about their failings and incorrect policies.

Abul Fazl wrote the biography of Akbar which was a writing of history from a critical perspective by careful evaluation and analysis of authentic source materials.

Babur's autobiography recorded detailed descriptions of his battles, the regions he visited and the local economy and customs.