Mughal literature emerged in India between the 16th and 18th centuries. It was a beautiful mixture of history, poetry, religion, and culture. The main language of Mughal literature was Persian, but Urdu, Arabic, and Turkish also started to develop during this time. Mughal emperor recorded their history, reign, administration, lifestyle, politics, paintings, the conquest of kingdoms, etc. in lots of books, Poetry, and autobiographies. Below, a list of books written during Mughal reign is given here.
Characteristics of Mughal Literature
- Mughal literature had multicultural influences. It was a blend of Persian, Indian, Arabic, and Central Asian cultures.
- Persian was the primary language used in Mughal literature, administration, poetry, and court.
- Mughals emphasized their own history and recorded in the various books.
- Persian poetry was at its peak during the Mughal era. Ghazals (lyric poems) and Masnavis (narrative poems) were popular at that time.
- Urdu emerged as a literary language during the Mughal period.
- Mughals included Autobiographical and Biographical writings.
- They also had written religious texts such as Fatwa-e-Alamgir (by Aurangzeb).
- Cultural synthesis developed between Hindus and Muslims.
- They supported poets, historians, and scholars.
- Sufi influences were presented in Mughal literature.
Books Written During Babar Reign
| Writer | Book | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Babar | Tuzuk-e-Babri ‘Babarnama’ (written in Turkish) | In this book, Babur describes his character, India’s climate, rivers, mountains, political conditions, various kingdoms and their rulers, forests, vegetation, nature, etc. |
| Babar | Diwan-i-Babur (written in Turkish) | Collection of his poems. |
Books Written During Humayun Reign
| Writer | Book | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Gulbadan Begum (Sister of Humayun) | ‘Humayunnama’ (Written in Persian) | This book is rich in events from the end of Babur’s rule to Humayun’s reign and was written during Akbar’s time. |
| Khwandamir | Tarikh-i-Humayun (Written in Persian) | Provides details of Humayun’s reign and his campaigns. |
| Khwandamir | Qanun-i-Humayuni (Written in Persian) | Details of laws and administrative policies of Humayun. |
| Jauhar Aftabchi | Tazkirat-ul-Waqiat (Written in Persian) | Details of important events during Humayun’s rule and his military campaigns. |
Info: Sauda, Mir Taqi Mir, and Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan were the Persian Poets and also very popular people in the Mughal court.
Books Written During Akbar Reign
| Writer | Book | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Abul Fazal | Ain-e-Akbari | Akbar’s Reign, Law, Civil and Military Staff, Revenue, Harem, Din-i-Ilahi etc. |
| Abul Fazal | Akbarnama | The first part covers the reign of Amir Timur to Humayun, and the last two parts cover the reign of Akbar till 1602 AD. |
| Abul Fazal | Ruqaat-i-Abul Fazl | A collection of letters written by Abul Fazl |
| Nizamuddin Ahmed | ‘Tabaqat-e-Akbari’ (Written in Persian) | Covers the first phase of Mughal rule up to 39 years of Akbar’s rule. |
| Moula Daud | ‘Tarikh-e-Alfi’ (Written in Persian) | Akbar’s reign is described. |
| Muhammad Qasim Firishta | Tarikh-i-Firishta (Written in Persian) | It gives a detailed history of India from ancient times to the Mughal period. (It covers various Indian kingdoms and empires.) |
| Badauni | ‘Muntakhab-ul-Tarikh’ (Written in Persian) | A critical interpretation of Akbar’s reign and Akbar’s religious policies is given. |
| Abbas Khan Sherwani | ‘Tarikh-i-Shershahi’ or ‘Tuhfa-i-Akbar-Shahi’ (Written in Persian) | Sher Shah’s regime, conflict with Humayun, Dag and Hulia, public welfare activities etc. are described. |
| Faizi | ‘Mansbi Nala-e-Daman’, ‘Markaz-e-Adtayar’, ‘Marwarid-ul-Kala’, ‘Sawat-ul-Ilm’ (Written in Persian) | Poetry |
| Tulsidas | ‘Ramcharitmanas’ (Written in Hindi) | Poetry |
Info: Akbar was the first Mughal ruler to patronize both Hindi and Sanskrit languages.
Info: Akbar had Hindu epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana translated into Persian.
Info: Akbar’s era is called the ‘Golden Age of Hindi Poetry’.
Info: Akbar’ Apart from this, Hussain Naziri’s ghazals in Urdu language were particularly notable at that time.
Books Written During Jahangir Reign
| Writer | Book | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Jahangir | ‘Tuzuk-e-Jahangiri’ (Written in Persian) | The account of the first 17 years of his reign was written by Jahangir himself. Mutabid Khan wrote the history of the last 2 years under his instructions. |
| Mutabid Khan | Iqbalnama (written in Persian and divided into three volumes) | Volume I covers the period from the beginning of the Mughal Empire to Humayun, Volume II of Akbar and Volume III of Jahangir’s reign. |
| Mohammad Haji | Waqiyat-e-Jahangiri (Written in Persian) | Jahangir’s reign is described. |
| Gairat Khan | Masir-i-Jahangiri (Written in Persian) | Written about the reign of Jahangir. |
| Muhammad Tahir Ashna | Insha-i-Jahangiri (Written in Persian) | A collection of official letters and documents from Jahangir’s reign. |
| Niyatullah | Mahizm-i-Jahangiri (Written in Persian) | Contains details of Jahangir’s reign. |
| Mohammed Ferista Kashim | Tarikh-e-Ferista (Written in Persian) | Jahangir’s reign is described. |
| Bhakkari Sultans (Zebun Nisa) | Nuskha-i-Dilkusha (Written in Persian) | A collection of letters and stories about Jahangir’s reign. |
| Mullah Nahawandi | Masri-e-Rahimi (Written in Persian) | Contains details of Jahangir’s reign. |
Info: Emperors Babur and Jahangir wrote their autobiography.
Books Written During Shah Jahan Reign
| Writer | Book | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Amin Qazvini | Padshahnama (Written in Persian) | Shah Jahan’s reign is described. |
| Abdul Hamid Lahori | Padshahnama (Written in Persian) | The first 20 years of Shah Jahan’s reign are described from the early stages of Mughal history. |
| Danishmand Khan | Tarikh-i-Shah Jahan (Written in Persian) | Details insights of Shah Jahan’s administration, military, and architectural patronage. |
| Mohammad Warish | Padshahnama (Written in Persian) | The overall history of Shah Jahan’s reign is described. |
| Inayat Khan | Shah Jahannama (Written in Persian) | The reign of Shah Jahan is mentioned. |
| Chandra Bhan Brahman | Chahar Chaman | It discusses the cultural and academic atmosphere of his period. |
| Muhammad Salih | Shah Jahannama (Written in Persian) | Description of the reign of Shah Jahan. |
| Dara Shikoh | Majmal-Bahreen (Written in Persian) | There are discussions of mysticism and rituals of Sufism and Hindu theology. |
| Dara Shikoh | Safinat-ul-Auliya (Written in Persian) | The biography of the Sufi saint is described. |
| Dara Shikoh | Hasanat-ul-Arifin (written in Persian) | Religious and philosophical thoughts are discussed. |
| Dara Shikoh | Translation of Atharva Veda, Upanishads and Gita (Written in Persian) | – |
| Jahanara | Munis-ul-Arwah. Howal Moin | A book based on the life of Sufi saint Moinuddin Chisti |
| Unknown (attributed to court writers) | Tuzuk-i-Shah Jahani (Written in Persian) | It documents Shah Jahan’s policies, his relationship with other rulers |
Info: Sufism had a big impact on Mughal literature.
Books Written During Aurangzeb Reign
| Writer | Book | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Aurangzeb | Waqat-i-Alamgiri (Written in Persian) | Collection of letters of Emperor Aurangzeb |
| Aurangzeb and a team of scholars | Fatwa-e-Alamgiri (Written in Persian) | A compilation of Islamic law (Sharia) based on the Hanafi school of thought. |
| Aurangzeb | Ruka’at-i-Alamgiri (Written in Persian) | A collection of Aurangzeb’s personal letters |
| Khafi Khan | Muntkhab-ul-Lubab (Written in Persian) | From the first 15 years of Babur’s invasion of India to the reign of Muhammad Shah. The reign of Aurangzeb is described. |
| Hamid-ud-din Khan | Ahkam-i-Alamgiri (Written in Persian) | Aurangzeb’s official orders, administration, and legal decisions. |
| Mohammed Kazim | Alamgirnama (Written in Persian) | Details of Aurangzeb’s reign are available. |
| Saqi Mustad Khan | ‘Masir-e-Alamgiri’ (Written in Persian) | Details of Aurangzeb’s reign are found. |
| Sujan Rai | Khulasa-ul-Tawarikh (Written in Persian) | Aurangzeb’s reign is described. |
| Bhimsen Burhanpur | Nuska-e-Dilkhusha or Nupsha-e-Dilkhusha (written in Persian) | Aurangzeb’s reign is described. |
| Ishwar Das Nagar | Futuhat-e-Alamgiri (Written in Persian) | Aurangzeb’s reign is described. |
Info: Persian poetry was very popular. Poets wrote beautiful verses about love, nature, and spirituality.