Q. "Yogavāsistha" was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of : (UPSC Prelims 2022)
Answer:
Akbar
Notes: The correct answer is
[A] Akbar. The translation of Sanskrit texts into Persian was a hallmark of the Mughal Emperor Akbar’s reign, driven by his policy of
Sulh-i-kul (universal peace) and a desire to foster cultural synthesis.
- Nizamuddin Panipati (Correct): During the late 16th century, Akbar commissioned the translation of the Yogavasistha, a syncretic philosophical text that explores the teachings of Sage Vashistha to Lord Rama. Nizamuddin Panipati's version is often referred to as the Jug-Basisht.
- Akbar's Translation Department (Maktab Khana): Akbar established a formal department for translations to bridge the gap between Islamic and Hindu philosophies. Other major works translated during his era include the Mahabharata (as Razmnama), the Ramayana, and the Atharvaveda.
- Shahjahan (Incorrect): While his son, Dara Shikoh, was a prolific translator who translated the Upanishads into Persian (Sirr-i-Akbar) and also commissioned a version of the Yogavasistha, the specific translation by Nizamuddin Panipati belongs to the Akbar era.
- Humayun and Aurangzeb (Incorrect): Humayun’s reign was too unstable for such large-scale literary projects, and Aurangzeb’s patronage shifted away from the translation of non-Islamic religious or philosophical texts.