Growth of Muslim Population in Medieval India, A.D. 1000–1800 c6.s1.16

c6.s1.16

Indian chroniclers share the weaknesses of foreigners. They also often exaggerate, particularly when writing about casualties in wars. Of the dozens of medieval Persian chroniclers, it cannot be said that some are truthful while others are less reliable. The same writer may give some figures correctly, in others he may commit mistakes and even wilfully. Therefore, every figure and fact given by medieval chroniclers needs to be put under the minutest scrutiny. We have to cross-check the figures given by one writer with those of others, and only when this opportunity is denied, can the data be accepted only if supported by historical antecedants and situations. A few examples would show how careful one has to be when dealing with medieval writers.