The correct option is (c) 2 and 3 only
Explanation
The term "Hindustan" has carried different meanings throughout history depending on the political and geographical context of the time. In the thirteenth century, Minhaj-i-Siraj, a chronicler who wrote in Persian, used the term to describe specific territories under the Delhi Sultanate.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. Minhaj-i-Siraj was a chronicler of the thirteenth century who wrote primarily in Persian, which was the language of administration and court culture under the Delhi Sultans. He did not write in Sanskrit.
- Statement 2 is Correct. When Minhaj-i-Siraj used the term "Hindustan," he specifically meant the areas of Punjab, Haryana, and the lands between the Ganga and Yamuna. This definition was geographical but limited to the northern plains.
- Statement 3 is Correct. He used the term in a political sense for lands that were a part of the dominions of the Delhi Sultan. Consequently, the areas included in this term shifted with the extent of the Sultanate, but it notably never included south India.
Key Takeaway:
In the medieval period, "Hindustan" was not a fixed national entity but a political term referring to the North Indian territories (Punjab, Haryana, and the Doab) controlled by the Delhi Sultanate.