Question map
Who composed Zainavilas, a history of the rulers of Kashmir, in the time of Zainul Abidin ?
Explanation
During the reign of Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin (r. 1420–1470), also known as 'Bud Shah', Kashmir experienced a significant cultural and literary renaissance. While Jonaraja and Shrivara are famous for continuing Kalhana's Rajatarangini, Bhattavatara was another prominent scholar in the Sultan's court. Bhattavatara composed the 'Zainavilas' (also referred to as Zaina-Vilasa), which is a historical work or biography dedicated to the life and achievements of Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin. This work serves as a vital source for understanding the socio-political landscape of medieval Kashmir. Jonaraja authored the 'Dvitiya Rajatarangini' [1], and Shrivara authored the 'Tritiya Rajatarangini'. Bhattavatara's contribution specifically highlights the Sultan's patronage of Sanskrit literature despite the shift toward Persian influence in the administration.
Sources
- [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonaraja