With reference to tawarikh and insha writings, briefly discuss the significance

of Persian literary traditions as a source for the study of the Mughals till the
reign of Akbar.

Persian has had a long history in the subcontinent and with time, according to
Muzaffar Alam it came to imbibe the traits of the subcontinent, giving it a
distinct increase in patronage and usage. It became the dominant language of
the Mughal Court and communication and a large body of historical literature
in Persian was produced. This literature followed the traditions of classical
Persian historiography.
The Mughal historiography dominated by the Persian sources can be grouped
into various categories on the basis of characteristics, types of writing and their
contents. They are autobiographies and biographies, Official court histories,
histories written by the historians without the sponsorship of the rulers,
Farmans and orders of Mughal emperors, provincial nobles and other rulers,
Letters (Insha) exchanged by the emperors with nobles and other rulers and
court chronicles (Tawarikh).
In addition to historical and official writings, poetry also played an important
role in Persian literature during the Mughal era. Two of the most prominent
poetic forms were Ghazal and Masnavi. The Ghazal, a lyrical form of poetry,
was used to express themes of love, beauty, longing, and the metaphysical. It
became the most popular form of poetry in Persian literature at the time. The
Masnavi, a longer narrative poem, was used for storytelling and epic tales.
Poets like Fakhruddin Iraqi and Mirza Ghalib were notable figures in this
tradition, blending Persian poetic forms with Indian cultural and philosophical
elements.
Lastly, works related to Adab (ethics) and Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) were
also influential during the Mughal period. Adab referred to the code of ethics
and literary decorum, often reflected in the moral and ethical teachings found
in literature. Fiqh, the study of Islamic law, influenced many of the legal and
historical works produced during this time, contributing to the intellectual
environment at the Mughal court.
In the following paragraphs we will look at Insha and Tawarikh in detail and try
to establish the importance of Persian literary traditions as a source for the
study of the Mughals till the reign of Akbar.
During the Mughal era, history writing was deeply influenced by Persian
traditions, which were shaped by monarchical institutions. Persian
historiography often took the form of Tawarikh or court chronicles, which
were commissioned by rulers to record the events of their reigns and the
grandeur of their empires. These chronicles not only documented political and
military events but also served as tools to glorify the rulers.
The Delhi Sultanate had already established the practice of creating court
chronicles, and this tradition continued under the Mughals, especially during
Akbar's reign. Akbar made significant contributions to historical writing by
commissioning several works to record his reign, legacy, and the history of his
empire.
One of the key works of this period was Tarikh-i Alfi, written by a group of
seven scholars. This text was created to evaluate the history of Islam over the
past 1000 years. Akbar ordered the scholars to maintain high levels of
objectivity and perfection while writing the text. Each year was assigned to a
different author, and the work became an important source for future
historical texts.
Humayun Nama by Gulbadan Begum is a unique historical work written on
Akbar's orders. Gulbadan Begum, Humayun's sister, provides a detailed
account of Humayun's life, including vivid descriptions of life in the harem. The
text is especially notable for its focus on the experiences and feelings of the
women in the royal household. It also briefly touches upon the life of Babur
but ends with the tragic story of the blinding of Mirza Kamran.

Akbar Nama by Abul Fazl

The Akbar Nama was a monumental work commissioned by Emperor Akbar to
document his life and rule. Akbar allowed his historian, Abul Fazl, full freedom
in his approach to writing the text, without imposing restrictions on style. The
Akbarnama was intended to be a three-volume work, written by Abul Fazl,
documenting the life, reign, and empire of Akbar. The first two volumes
provide a narrative of Akbar's ancestry and reign, while the third volume, the
Ain-i Akbari, contains detailed information about the administration, culture,
and society under Akbar. Abul Fazl worked on multiple drafts of the text to
refine its style and presentation. During his revisions, he often made decisions
based on his own interpretations or Akbar's preferences, which led to some
differences from the original testimonies he gathered.
The Akbar Nama is written in the form of a yearly chronicle, though the
chronology is often broken. At times, Abul Fazl also briefly describes the
histories of other countries and regions. The Ai’n-i Akbari, which is part of the
Akbar Nama, provides information about the Mughal state, such as details on
government departments, food prices, and wages. It also includes information
about the religious practices of Hindus, Jains, and other communities, as well
as yogic postures. However, the text does not offer a comprehensive view of
society; it focuses mainly on what directly relates to Akbar’s reign. Important
events, such as the Mahzar (the religious conference) which revealed Akbar's
psychological complexity, are left out of the Akbar Nama.
Historians like Athar Ali argue that the redrafting process caused the Akbar
Nama to deviate from its original sources, while Harbans Mukhia suggests that
Abul Fazl’s glorification of Akbar was an expression of gratitude to the
emperor, portraying him as a divine figure. In this way, Abul Fazl used history
to assert Akbar's supremacy as a ruler.
Muntakhab-ut-Tawarikh by Abdul Qadir Badauni
Muntakhab-ut-Tawarikh, written by Abdul Qadir Badauni, is another
significant historical work from the Mughal period. This text is divided into
three volumes. The first volume covers the history of Muslim rulers up to
Babur and Humayun. In the preface, Badauni acknowledges his sources and
admits that he sometimes added his own views to the work. The second
volume focuses on Akbar’s reign and is written as an annual chronicle, where
events are recorded according to the year in which they occurred. The third
volume provides biographical sketches of religious figures, poets, and scholars,
as well as a critical perspective on Akbar's religious policies.
Badauni’s originality lies in his analysis of the people involved in these events,
as well as his examination of the effects of Akbar's policies on the general
population.
The importance of Muntakhab-ut-Tawarikh as a historical source is significant.
It not only covers military campaigns, rebellions, and conquests but also offers
detailed insights into the administrative organization of Akbar’s empire.
Badauni also discusses Akbar’s religious policies, experiments, and the
architecture of cities like Fatehpur Sikri. However, it should be noted that
Badauni’s account is somewhat biased. He criticized Akbar’s policies and
sought to show the failure of some of his reforms. For example, Badauni
viewed the mansabdari system (the system of military and administrative
ranks) as a failure, criticizing how even lower groups, such as tradesmen and
weavers, including Hindus without special abilities, were granted mansabs
(official ranks).
In conclusion, both the Akbar Nama and Muntakhab-ut-Tawarikh are
important historical texts that offer insights into Akbar's reign. While Abul
Fazl’s work glorifies the emperor and focuses on his achievements, Badauni’s
account offers a more critical perspective, examining the impact of Akbar’s
policies on various sections of society. Together, these works contribute
greatly to our understanding of Mughal history and the complexities of Akbar’s
rule.
The Arabic word "insha" means creation or construction, and in the context of
literature, it specifically referred to official writing, including letters,
documents, and state papers. The term ilm-i Insha denotes the art of crafting
polished and sophisticated prose, focusing on clarity, elegance, and formality.
When the Mughals arrived in India, they brought with them the Persian insha
tradition, which had been popular in the Timurid regions. This tradition also
drew influence from the Mongol legacy, as noted by scholars like Zilli. Under
Akbar's reign, various styles of insha writing flourished, with one of the most
significant contributors being Abul Fazl, who served as the Mir-Munshi (chief
secretary) in Akbar's court.
Abul Fazl's letters and official documents were notable for not only delivering
the intended messages but also incorporating philosophical reflections. His
writing style was unique because he avoided overused phrases, instead coining
new terms and often incorporating Sufi terminology. This made his insha
writing more profound and abstract, giving it a distinct character that became
an essential part of Akbar’s court culture.
Abul Fazl’s style of insha was unique for its focus on clear, direct expression. He
rejected the use of ornate and ambiguous language, which was common in the
insha of his time. He avoided Arabic words and used Turkish words to create a
more accessible style. Abul Fazl also avoided providing explanations for Akbar’s
actions, instead portraying them as part of God's divine will. This reflected his
belief in the emperor's absolute authority and sovereignty. His writing style
became widely admired for its correctness and precision, despite some
criticisms that he deviated from traditional insha conventions.

Significance of Persian Literary Traditions as a Source for the Study of the

Mughals until Akbar's Reign:
Persian literary traditions played a crucial role in shaping the historiography
and documentation of Mughal history, especially in the period before and
during Akbar's reign. The Mughal emperors, particularly Akbar, actively
promoted the use of Persian as the court language, and this had a profound
influence on the development of historical and official writing.
1. Tawarikh (Historical Chronicles): Persian tawarikh, or historical writings,
were a key genre used by Mughal historians to record the reigns of the
emperors, military campaigns, and major events. These chronicles,
commissioned by the rulers, served not only to document the past but
also to legitimize their authority. For example, during Akbar’s reign,
works like the Akbar Nama by Abul Fazl became central to shaping the
narrative of his reign. These writings were integral to understanding the
political and cultural developments of the Mughal empire.
2. Insha (Official Prose and Letters): The insha genre, which includes
official documents, letters, and state papers, also became essential to
the functioning of Mughal administration. Abul Fazl, as Akbar’s chief
secretary, contributed significantly to this genre. His letters and official
dispatches, which emphasized clarity and philosophical insights, helped
reinforce the emperor’s authority and governance. Insha writings reveal
the bureaucratic structure of the empire and provide insight into the
political, administrative, and social dynamics of the time.
3. Mughal Culture and Governance: Persian literature also gave rise to the
Ai'n-i Akbari, a section of the Akbar Nama, which provides an in-depth
look at the structure of Akbar's administration, detailing everything from
state departments to the wages of officers. Such works highlight how
Persian literary traditions became crucial in conveying the intricacies of
Mughal rule, including the emperor’s religious policies, military
strategies, and social reforms.
 4. Legacy of Persian Influence: The use of Persian in the Mughal court
continued to influence the region long after Akbar’s time. Persian
remained the dominant literary and administrative language, and its
traditions laid the foundation for later Mughal historiography and
intellectual development.
In conclusion, Persian literary traditions are invaluable sources for the study of
the Mughals until Akbar’s reign. They not only document the empire's history
and governance but also reflect the intellectual and cultural advancements
that characterized the Mughal court during this period.