Correct Option
The correct option isGhazni
Explanation
While the Delhi Sultans primarily used Persian for court chronicles, Sanskrit prashastis (eulogies) were also composed to praise them, often adopting traditional Indian imperial titles and exaggerated territorial claims. A notable Sanskrit prashasti found at the Palam Baoli in Delhi is dedicated to Ghiyasuddin Balban.
Detailed Analysis
- Gajjana (Ghazni): The prashasti describes Balban as the ruler of a vast empire stretching from Gauda (Bengal) in the East to Gajjana (Ghazni in Afghanistan) in the West.
- Gauda (Bengal): This term historically referred to the region of Bengal. The inscription claims that the people of Gauda, Andhra, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Gujarat fled before his armies.
- Exaggeration: Historians regard these claims as exaggerated poetic praise (hyperbole), as Balban’s actual political control did not extend to Ghazni or deep South India. However, the term "Gajjana" specifically denotes the region of Ghazni.
Key Takeaway
In the Sanskrit prashasti of Balban, the term "Gajjana" refers to Ghazni, and "Gauda" refers to Bengal, illustrating the claimed East-West extent of his empire.