Question 3 from UPSC CSE 2022 - Art & Culture

Question

Yogavasistha was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of:

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Akbar

Strategy: Focus on the timeframe of significant Sanskrit-to-Persian translations, notably during Akbar's rule. Akbar was renowned for commissioning major cultural translations to foster syncretism. Nizamuddin Panipati's Persian translation fits into Akbar's era, as many classical Indian works were translated upon his orders. Other reigns were either before this translation movement (Humayun) or after its peak (Shahjahan, Aurangzeb). Thus, Akbar's era is strongly associated with such literary collaborations.

Key Info: Yoga Vasistha is a major Sanskrit philosophical text attributed to Valmiki, focusing on Advaita Vedanta, concepts of non-duality, and yogic philosophy. It dates from the 11th-14th centuries CE and is one of the lengthiest Indian scriptures.

In the Mughal period, Akbar (reigned 1556-1605) is especially noted for promoting cross-cultural translation, commissioning works like the Mahabharata ('Razmnama') and Ramayana into Persian. Nizamuddin Panipati, a scholar from Panipat, translated the Yoga Vasistha into Persian as 'Jug-Basisht' during Akbar's reign.

Akbar's interest in Indian philosophy and support for collaborative scholarship between Hindu and Muslim intellectuals led to a flowering of Indo-Persian literature. This movement precedes later Mughal rulers' translation projects (like Dara Shikoh's), making Akbar's era a landmark in Indian-Persian literary exchanges.

Answer

Option B: Humayun

Answer

Option C: Shahjahan

Answer

Option D: Aurangzeb