Two statements are given below:

i. Aurangazeb banished singing in his court.

ii. Largest number of books on Indian classical music were written during Aurangazeb's reign.

Considering the above statements, which of the following is correct?

The correct answer is Both i and ii are true.

Key Points

• Aurangazeb, one of the Mughal emperors, was known for his strict adherence to Islamic principles.
• He banned singing and other forms of entertainment in his court as part of his policy to enforce Islamic orthodoxy.
• Despite his ban on singing, the period of his reign saw the largest number of books written on Indian classical music.
• This contradiction can be explained by the fact that while Aurangazeb restricted musical performances in his court, music as an art form continued to thrive outside the court, inspiring scholars to document and preserve it.

Additional Information

• Option 1: Both i and ii are true - This is correct, as Aurangazeb indeed banned singing in his court, and during his reign, the largest number of books on Indian classical music were written.
• Option 2: Only i is true - This would imply that the statement about books on Indian classical music being written is incorrect, which is not the case.
• Option 3: Both i and ii are wrong - This would imply that neither Aurangazeb banned singing nor were books on Indian classical music written during his reign. Historical evidence refutes this claim.
• Option 4: Only ii is true - This would imply that Aurangazeb did not ban singing in his court, which is not historically accurate.
• Aurangazeb’s Policies: Aurangazeb adopted policies aimed at enforcing strict Islamic principles, including the banning of music and dance performances in his court. However, his reign also saw significant contributions to the documentation and preservation of Indian classical music by scholars and enthusiasts who worked outside the royal court.
• Books on Indian Classical Music: The Mughal period as a whole, including Aurangazeb’s reign, was a fertile time for the codification and documentation of Indian music traditions. Works like "Rag Darpan" and others were composed during this time.
• Music Outside the Court: While court performances were restricted, music continued to thrive in other settings, such as temples, Sufi shrines, and among the general populace.