UPSC Prelims 2000 Q45: Medieval History – Regional Kingdoms & Frontier States
Which one of the following Muslim rulers was hailed as the ‘Jagadguru’ by his Muslim
subjects because of his belief in secularism?
- (a) Husain Shah
- (b) Zain - ul - Abidin
- (c) Ibrahim Adil Shah
- (d) Mahmud II
Answer: (c) Ibrahim Adil Shah
Explanation
The Muslim ruler hailed as 'Jagadguru'
| Ruler | Kingdom and note |
|---|---|
| Ibrahim Adil Shah II (r. 1580-1627) | Bijapur — called Jagadguru; wrote Kitab-i-Nauras in Dakhni with hymns to Saraswati |
| Zain-ul-Abidin (r. 1420-1470) | Kashmir — called Budshah, the great king; also tolerant |
| Alauddin Husain Shah (r. 1493-1519) | Bengal — patron of Bengali literature |
| Mahmud II | Tughlaq (Delhi) or Malwa rulers of that name; no such title |
Ibrahim Adil Shah II of Bijapur was so liberal towards Hindus and Hindu saints and music that his subjects called him Jagadguru, the teacher of the world.
He wrote the Kitab-i-Nauras, a book of songs in Dakhni set to ragas, which opens with an invocation to Saraswati, and he built a new capital called Nauraspur.
Zain-ul-Abidin of Kashmir was also tolerant, but his popular title was Budshah (great king), not Jagadguru.
Answer: (c) Ibrahim Adil Shah.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Husain Shah of Bengal patronised Bengali literature but was not called Jagadguru.
- (b) Incorrect. Zain-ul-Abidin was called Budshah, the great king.
- (c) CORRECT. Ibrahim Adil Shah II of Bijapur was hailed as Jagadguru.
- (d) Incorrect. No ruler named Mahmud II bore the title Jagadguru.
Key point
Jagadguru = Ibrahim Adil Shah II (Bijapur); Budshah = Zain-ul-Abidin (Kashmir).
Remember
Ibrahim Adil Shah II: Jagadguru, Kitab-i-Nauras, Bijapur.
Common mistakes
- Choosing Zain-ul-Abidin, the best-known tolerant sultan, without recalling his title.
- Confusing Ibrahim Adil Shah II with Ibrahim Qutb Shah of Golconda.
- Thinking only Akbar was praised for tolerance.
Exam tip
Kitab-i-Nauras + Saraswati hymn → Jagadguru Ibrahim.
Sources
- Satish Chandra — Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals (Har-Anand)
- Richard M. Eaton — A Social History of the Deccan, 1300-1761 (Cambridge University Press)