The fourteenth century chronicler Ziyauddin Barani wrote his chronicle first in 1356 and wrote another version two years later. Both the versions differ from each other. Historians were not aware of the existence of the earlier version till the 1960s because it remained lost in large library collections.

Ziyauddin Barani was a fourteenth-century chronicler who lived in Delhi during the reign of the Tughlaq dynasty. He was a prominent figure in the court of Muhammad bin Tughlaq and served as a revenue officer for many years. Barani is known for his historical writings, particularly his chronicles of the reigns of the Tughlaq sultans.

Life and Career:
Ziyauddin Barani was born into a family of scholars and bureaucrats in the early fourteenth century. He received a comprehensive education in Islamic law, history, and literature, which prepared him for a career in the Delhi Sultanate's administration. He joined the service of Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq, who was known for his eccentricity and unpredictability. Despite the sultan's reputation, Barani served him loyally for many years and rose to the position of a revenue officer.

Historical Writings:
Ziyauddin Barani is best known for his historical writings, particularly his chronicles of the Tughlaq dynasty's reign. His most famous work is the Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi, a comprehensive history of the Delhi Sultanate from the reign of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq to that of Firoz Shah Tughlaq. The book is divided into four volumes and covers almost all aspects of the sultanate's history, including politics, administration, society, and culture.

Barani's historical writings are significant because they provide a unique perspective on the Tughlaq dynasty's reign. Unlike other chroniclers of the time, who tended to glorify the sultans, Barani was critical of their policies and actions. He was particularly critical of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, whom he blamed for many of the sultanate's problems, including the decline of its economy and the unrest among its subjects.

Legacy:
Ziyauddin Barani's historical writings have been widely studied and analyzed by historians and scholars. His critical perspective on the Tughlaq dynasty's reign has been particularly influential in shaping our understanding of this period in Indian history. Barani's writings have also been praised for their literary merit and their insights into the social and cultural life of medieval India.

Ziyauddin barani