Identifying the Author of Tabaqat-i-Nasiri

The question asks about the composer of the historical work known as Tabaqat-i-Nasiri during the period of the Delhi Sultanate. This book is a significant primary source for understanding the history of this era.

Let's look at the options provided and the historical figures associated with them:

• Hasan Nizami: He was a historian who wrote Taj-ul-Ma'asir. This work covers the history of the early Delhi Sultanate, specifically the period of Qutb al-Din Aibak and Iltutmish.
• Amir Khusrau: A famous poet, musician, and scholar, known as the "Parrot of India". He wrote several historical and literary works, including Khazain-ul-Futuh (also known as Tarikh-i-Alai), which describes the conquests of Alauddin Khalji, and Tughlaq Nama.
• Minhaj-us-Siraj: He was a Persian historian and chronicler who served in the court of the Delhi Sultanate rulers. He is widely recognized as the author of Tabaqat-i-Nasiri. This book is a general history of the Islamic world, with a significant portion dedicated to the Ghurid dynasty and the early Delhi Sultanate, ending with the reign of Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah (after whom the book is named).
• Ziauddin Barani: Another prominent historian of the Delhi Sultanate, known for his work Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi. This book provides a detailed account of the history of the Delhi Sultanate from the reign of Ghiyas ud din Balban to the early years of Firoz Shah Tughluq.

Based on historical records and the authorship of key texts from the Delhi Sultanate period, Minhaj-us-Siraj is definitively the composer of Tabaqat-i-Nasiri.

Therefore, the individual who composed Tabaqat-i-Nasiri during the Delhi Sultanate period is Minhaj-us-Siraj.

Revision Table: Key Chroniclers of the Delhi Sultanate

Understanding the major historical sources is crucial for studying the Delhi Sultanate. Here's a quick summary:

• Tabaqat-i-Nasiri: Authored by Minhaj-us-Siraj. Provides a chronological history from early Islamic times up to the mid-13th century Delhi Sultanate.
• Taj-ul-Ma'asir: Authored by Hasan Nizami. Focuses on the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate.
• Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi: Authored by Ziauddin Barani. Covers a significant portion of the Sultanate history from Balban onwards.
• Khazain-ul-Futuh: Authored by Amir Khusrau. Details the military campaigns of Alauddin Khalji.

Additional Information on Tabaqat-i-Nasiri and Minhaj-us-Siraj

Tabaqat-i-Nasiri is a highly valuable source for reconstructing the history of the Delhi Sultanate, particularly for the period of the Slave Dynasty. Minhaj-us-Siraj held important positions as a judge and scholar during this time, which provided him with access to information. The book is structured in 'tabaqat' or classes/sections, covering different dynasties and rulers chronologically. While it is praised for its factual reporting, historians also note its perspective is often influenced by the political context of the time and the author's position within the court of Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah, to whom the work is dedicated.