The Mughal rulers of India were patrons of learning and scholars. In this context, describe briefly:

(a) The Persian language made a tremendous progress under the patronage of the Mughal emperors. Akbar’s court had many Persian scholars who migrated to India. One of the eminent historians of Akbar’s court was Abul Fazal, who wrote Ain-i-Akbari, gives information about the legal and revenue-systems of Akbar’s administration. While Akbarnama is about the life of Akbar and the Mughals in general. Two other historians of Akbar’s reign were Nizam-ud-din Ahmad, who wrote Tabakat-i-Akbari and Badauni, who wrote Muntakhab-ut-Twarikh. Akbar encouraged the translation of Sanskrit literary works into the Persian language. Different sections of the Mahabharata were translated into Persian and compiled into a book. Badauni completed the translation of the Ramayana. Abul Fazal translated the Panchatantra. Faizi was a renowned scholar who translated many Hindu classics into Persian.The translation of Sanskrit works in Persian continued under Jahangir.

(b) Tulsidas was a great poet of the Rama cult, he wrote Ram Gitawali. His most famous work is Ram Charitmanas, singing the noble deeds of Lord Rama. It is a masterpiece of Hindi literature. Surdas wrote Sursagar which describes episodes from Krishna’s early life. Many scholars adorned the court of Akbar, who encouraged Hindi Literature. Akbar’s courtiers—Birbal, Raja Man Singh and Raja Bhagwan Das—were known for their poetic works in Hindi. Akbar conferred the title ‘Kavipriya’ on Birbal for his poetic works. Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khanan was the most distinguished Hindi poet of Akbar’s court. Till today, his dohas in Hindi have been greatly appreciated and read with interest. Malik Muhammad Javasi, one of the most well-known writers of Hindi, wrote the epic Padmawat. Sundar, who wrote Sundar Sringar was given the title ’Mahakavi Rai’ by Emperor Shahjahan.