Introduction
Medieval literature, spanning roughly from the 5th to the 15th century, reflects the cultural and social milieu of the Middle Ages. From epic poetry to religious texts, it provides insights into medieval life, values, and beliefs.
Various Medieval Literature
- Persian Literature
- Urdu Literature
- Hindi Literature
Persian Literature
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Divan (a collection of Persian poetry), Nuh Sipihr, and Duval Rani-Khizr Khan (tragic love poem) |
- These were written by Amir Khusrau Dehlavi.
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Tarikh-e-Firuz Shahi |
- It was written by Zia-ud din Barani.
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Tuzuk-I-Babari (Babarnama) |
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Humayun-nama |
- Gulbadan Begum (half sister of Humayun).
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Ain-e Akbari and Akbarnama |
- Written by court historian Abul Fazl.
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Padmavat |
- Written by Malik Muhammad Jayasi.
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Shah Jahan-nama |
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Kulliyat (collection of verses) |
- Written by Mir Jafar Zatalli.
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Padshahnama |
- written by Abdul Hamid Lahori.
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Razmanama
(Book of War) |
- It was the first-ever Persian translation of the Mahabharata under the order of Emperor Akbar.
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- Yoga Vasistha was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of Akbar. [UPSC 2022]
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Urdu Literature: An Overview
- Urdu evolved through the interaction of Persian and Hindi.
- Amir Khusrau had contributed to the development of Urdu in its nascent stage.
- Urdu primarily follows Hindi grammar and Persian script.
- It was initially referred to as Dakkani (Southern) due to its use in the Bahmani States of Ahmadnagar, Golconda, Bijapur, and Berar.
- Eminent Urdu poets include Mirza Ghalib, Sauda, Dard, and Mir Taqi Mir.
- In the 20th century, Iqbal, known for “Saare jahan se achcha,” became a significant figure in Urdu literary writing.
Hindi And Its Dialects And Related Literature
Prithviraj Raso |
- It was the first Hindi book and it documents the life and challenges faced by Prithviraj Chauhan.
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Ramcharitmanas, Dohavali, Gitavali, and Vinaya Patrika |
- These were written by Tulsidas.
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Sur Sagar |
- Surdas wrote it, and the book is about Krishna’s infancy and adolescent affairs with the Gopis.
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Conclusion
- Medieval literature serves as a window into the past, preserving the traditions, beliefs, and ideals of bygone eras.
- Its enduring legacy continues to influence contemporary literature and offers valuable insights into the evolution of human thought and society.