History of the Qaraunah Turks in India c14.s1.12

c14.s1.12

Much light is thrown on Rajput history by Muhnot Nainsi's Khyātā compiled during the years 1650--66 A.D. It is not a historical work in the strict sense of the term, but it embodies a lot of information gleaned by the author from documents stored in the archives of the states of Rajputana for at least 200 years before his time. The Khyātās of the bards, traditions and Vanśāvalīs, which the author could lay his hands on, have been incorporated in this work in extenso so that a great deal of falsehood is mixed up with genuine historical matter. The period covered is from 1143 A.D. till the times of the author. The language employed is old Marwari and in some places Dingal is also used. Nainsi does not exaggerate or minimise; he is a truthful recorder of events and, therefore, his work despite its defects has much historical value. While the Muhammadan historians write vaguely about Rajputana and extol the deeds of valour of their patrons, Nainsi presents the other side and his observations have a freshness and charm which seldom fails to strike us.