According to Harbans Mukhia, Indian familiarity with Persian at the popular level can be traced to the writings and discourses of.............

The correct answer is - Moin al-din Chishti

Key Points

• Moin al-din Chishti
  • He was the founder of the Chishti Sufi order in India, which emphasized love, compassion, and spiritual unity.
  • His teachings and discourses were delivered in Persian, which significantly contributed to the popularization of the language among the masses.
  • The Chishti order’s practices and philosophy promoted cultural exchange, which led to the integration of Persian linguistic elements into Indian society.
  • Harbans Mukhia, a historian, highlights his role in establishing familiarity with Persian at a grassroots level through spiritual and literary contributions.

Additional Information

• Nasiruddin Chiragh
  • He was a prominent Sufi saint from the Chishti order, but his contributions primarily focused on spiritual practices rather than linguistic integration.
  • Although influential, his role in popularizing Persian among the masses is considered secondary compared to Moin al-din Chishti.
• Gesudaraz
  • Gesudaraz, also known as Hazrat Khwaja Banda Nawaz, was a Sufi saint of the Deccan region.
  • His works in Persian were significant, but they primarily served scholarly and spiritual audiences rather than widespread popularization.
• Baba Farid
  • A key figure in the Chishti order, Baba Farid’s literary contributions were made in regional languages such as Punjabi, along with Persian.
  • While influential, his works did not have the same level of impact on Persian integration at the popular level as Moin al-din Chishti.