Question

The Upanishads were translated into Persian by which of the following _____.
A. Akbar
B. Dara Shikoh
C. Shah Jahan
D. Jahangir

Answer 1

Hint:
The literal meaning of Upanishad is the “sitting near devotedly”. It brings the picturesquely to mind with the earnest disciple learning from the teacher. This word is also meant for secret teaching. Mughal emperors were very much motivated through the Upanishad.

Complete solution:
Dara Shikoh was the eldest son of the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan. He translated the Upanishads into the Persian language for wide acceptability. He also translated holy books like Yoga Vashishta and Bhagwat Gita. His works were of the philosophical and metaphysical nature. He also wrote on Sufism and the lives of Sufi saints.

Additional Information:
The Upanishads are the very popular and holy books with philosophical-religious content of Hinduism. These are also known as Sanatan Dharma which means the Eternal Order or the Eternal Path. These are developing and explaining the fundamental tenets of the religion.
There are more than 200 Upanishads but the traditional number is 108 only. Out of these only 10 are the principal Upanishads. Some of these are Isha, Kena, Katha, Prashan, Mundaka and Brihadaranyaka.
Mukhya Upanishads are the most ancient and widely studied under Hinduism.

Hence, the correct answer is option B.

Note:
Dara Shukoh further developed a friendship with the seventh Sikh Guru, Guru Har Rai. He was devoted much effort for finding a common mystical language between Islam and Hinduism. Towards his goal, he completed the translation of many Upanishads from Sanskrit to the Persian language.