NCERT Class 7 History — Chapter 1: Introduction: Tracing Changes Through a Thousand Years

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Which fourteenth-century chronicler is known for writing two versions of his chronicle, the first of which was lost until the 1960s?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

AZiyauddin Barani
BAmir Khusrau
CAl-Idrisi
DMinhaj-i-Siraj

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Solution

The correct option is

Ziyauddin Barani

Explanation

Ziyauddin Barani was a prominent 14th-century historian and political thinker of the Delhi Sultanate. His works provide critical insights into the political history and administration of the Tughlaq dynasty.

Detailed Analysis:

Ziyauddin Barani is best known for his chronicle, the Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi.
He wrote two versions of this chronicle. The first version was completed in 1356.
The second version was completed two years later, in 1358.
The first version remained lost to modern historians for centuries and was only rediscovered in the 1960s. Until then, historical understanding was based primarily on the second version.
The chronicle covers the history of the Delhi Sultanate from the accession of Ghiyasuddin Balban to the early years of Firoz Shah Tughlaq's reign.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

Minhaj-i-Siraj: A 13th-century chronicler who wrote the Tabaqat-i-Nasiri, dedicated to Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud. He predates the 14th century.
Amir Khusrau: A prolific poet and historian of the 13th and 14th centuries (associated with seven Sultans). While he wrote historical masnavis like Tughlaq Nama, the specific case of a "lost first version rediscovered in the 1960s" applies to Barani.
Al-Idrisi: A 12th-century Arab geographer and cartographer, not a chronicler of the Delhi Sultanate.

Key Takeaway:
Ziyauddin Barani wrote two versions of the Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi; the first version (1356) was lost and only became available to scholars in the 1960s.

Your note

More from Chapter 1: Introduction: Tracing Changes Through a Thousand Years

With reference to the cartographic developments in the medieval period, consider the following statements regarding the maps produced by Al-Idrisi and French cartographers: 1. Al-Idrisi’s map, produced in the twelfth century, places South India at the top and Sri Lanka as an island at the top. 2. The French cartographer’s map, made in the eighteenth century, shows inland areas with greater detail than coastal areas. 3. Al-Idrisi used the Devanagari script to mark place names, including well-known places like Kanauj. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements regarding the changing meaning of the term "Hindustan" over the centuries: 1. In the thirteenth century, Minhaj-i-Siraj used the term to denote the land under the dominion of the Delhi Sultanate, excluding South India. 2. In the sixteenth century, Babur used the term in a purely political sense to describe his conquests. 3. Amir Khusrau used the word "Hind" in the fourteenth century to describe a geographical and cultural entity. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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With reference to the periodisation of Indian history, consider the following statements: 1. British historians in the nineteenth century divided Indian history into three periods: Hindu, Muslim, and British. 2. This division was based on the significant developments in society, economy, and culture rather than just the religion of rulers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements regarding the copying of manuscripts in the medieval period: 1. Scribes copied manuscripts with absolute precision, ensuring no variations over centuries. 2. The Shikaste style of handwriting was denser and more difficult to read than the Nastaliq style. 3. Historians often have to read multiple versions of the same text to comprehend the original author's intent. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Which of the following crops were introduced into the Indian subcontinent during the period 700–1750 CE? 1. Potatoes 2. Corn 3. Chillies 4. Tea and Coffee Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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The correct option is

Ziyauddin Barani

Explanation

Detailed Analysis:

Ziyauddin Barani is best known for his chronicle, the Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi.
He wrote two versions of this chronicle. The first version was completed in 1356.
The second version was completed two years later, in 1358.
The first version remained lost to modern historians for centuries and was only rediscovered in the 1960s. Until then, historical understanding was based primarily on the second version.
The chronicle covers the history of the Delhi Sultanate from the accession of Ghiyasuddin Balban to the early years of Firoz Shah Tughlaq's reign.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

Minhaj-i-Siraj: A 13th-century chronicler who wrote the Tabaqat-i-Nasiri, dedicated to Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud. He predates the 14th century.
Amir Khusrau: A prolific poet and historian of the 13th and 14th centuries (associated with seven Sultans). While he wrote historical masnavis like Tughlaq Nama, the specific case of a "lost first version rediscovered in the 1960s" applies to Barani.
Al-Idrisi: A 12th-century Arab geographer and cartographer, not a chronicler of the Delhi Sultanate.

Key Takeaway:
Ziyauddin Barani wrote two versions of the Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi; the first version (1356) was lost and only became available to scholars in the 1960s.