Badauni: The Controversial History Teller

We have always read the history of the greatest Mughal ruler- Akbar through the accounts of Abul Fazl. It is undeniable that Fazl’s writing gives a thorough narrative of Akbar’s reign, but also a very biased one. Explore a more controversial, unbiased and raw account on Akbar by Baduani.

Akbar Portrait, source: WikiMedia

When it comes to reconstructing Mughal history under the reign of Akbar, one cannot ignore the contributions of Abdul Qadir Badauni’s Muntakhab-ul-Tawarikh, which has been one of the most valuable works produced in Medieval India, writes KA Nizami.

While studying Mughal history, we read Abul Fazl and his work what we do not read is how often has he tampered with the facts, for which he had been heavily criticised by Badauni too. Badauni does not shy from castigating Abul Fazl and Akbar for as SAA Rizvi writes, in their attempts to end Sunni faith. Badauni’s writing highlights the shift in Akbar’s interpretation of religion and liberal politics emerging out of the concept of Ibadat Khana. As a result of which he was assigned to translate Indian Classics. Harbans Mukhia mentions that with this task of translation, Akbar and Abul Fazl notice Badauni’s uneasiness due to the religious differences, nevertheless, he produces translation of Mahabharata and Ramyana, calling the former Razm Nama. As an act of repentance, he prepares a copy of Quran and presents it to Akbar.

Badauni’s writings have proved to bridge the gaps between the missed information, as he provides the details on which Abul Fazl usually keeps quiet. He also holds a feud against Abul Fazl, as his introduction in Akbar’s court had put Badauni in the background. Blaming Abul Fazl for drifting away from religion, he highlights the continuous conflict between Akbar and the Ulemas, attacking him for his disbelief of religion.

He also mentions interesting episodes from Akbar’s rule, one of such episodes is of the establishment of Shaitanpur by Akbar for prostitutes. Under his reign, any person who visited Shaitanpur was to be registered. Women who quarreled with their husbands were also sent there and compelled to prostitution.

Badauni has been termed the most controversial writer due to his constant attack on Akbar; he also makes this reason the sole objective for producing Tarikh, as he writes: I have no other objective in writing except to express my grief for the faith and heart-burning for the deceased community of Muslims, which became a non-entity and is still so. And to God, I look for refuge from reproach, hatred, jealousy, and persecution.

Razmnama, source: WikiMedia