Question

Read the following statements carefully regarding Al-Biruni’s ‘‘Kitab-ul-Hind’’ and choose the correct option :
I. It is a voluminous text of eighty chapters.
II. It is written in Arabic, Urdu and Hindavi.
III. Each of its chapters begins with a question.
IV. It covers many subjects like astronomy, festivals, etc.

• A. I, III and IV are correct.
• B. I, II and III are correct.
• C. I, II and IV are correct.
• D. II, III and IV are correct.

Hint:

Al-Biruni = Arabic. He was a master of many languages including Greek, Syriac, and Sanskrit, but his primary medium of writing was Arabic. The "80 chapters" and "Starts with a question" are specific structural markers of this book.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept:
• Al-Biruni was a 11th-century scholar who accompanied Mahmud of Ghazni to India.
• His work, "Kitab-ul-Hind," is an encyclopedic account of Indian culture, philosophy, and science based on his direct observations and study of Sanskrit texts.
• The book is noted for its distinctive geometric and logical structure.

Step 1: Verify statement I and IV regarding content
Statement I is true: The text is indeed divided into 80 chapters. Statement IV is also true: It covers a vast range of subjects including religion, philosophy, festivals, astronomy, alchemy, manners, customs, social life, weights, and measures.

Step 2: Verify statement II regarding language
Statement II is false. Al-Biruni wrote "Kitab-ul-Hind" exclusively in Arabic. Urdu and Hindavi were not developed or used by scholars in the 11th century for such formal academic works.

Step 3: Verify statement III regarding structure
Statement III is true: Al-Biruni adopted a unique methodology where he started each chapter with a question, followed this with a description based on Sanskrit traditions, and concluded with a comparison with other cultures.