Notes Poetry as history: three poetic sources for the reign of Muhammad b. Tughluq

Abstract

Among the poetic works that furnish a vast and valuable account of history for the period of medieval Muslim rule in India are the Qasāid Badr Chach. Badr was a native of Chach [mod. Tashkent] and, seeking his fortune, came to the subcontinent. He then attached himself to the court of Muhammad b. Tughluq to earn royal patronage and became a poet-laureate of this volatile-natured Emperor. Badr is supposed to have died in 1344 CE.1 In his authoritative study of Muhammad b. Tughluq, Dr. A. Mahdi Husain gives the value of the Qasāid thus: