In 1574 Akbar started a Maktab Khana or a house of translation works in Fatehpur Sikri. He endorsed the work to a few officials to make translations of the Sanskrit books Rajatarangini, Ramayana and Mahabharata into the Persian language. In that officials, Abdul Fazi translated Ramayana into Persian.

Who translated Ramayan into Persian?

There is some debate and ambiguity regarding the exact person who translated the Ramayan into Persian. However, three prominent individuals are often associated with this translation: Badauni, Abul Fazl, and Faizi.

Badauni:
- Badauni, whose full name was Abdul Qadir Badauni, was a renowned historian and scholar during the Mughal era in India.
- He is known for his works in Persian literature and historical chronicles.
- Badauni translated the Ramayan into Persian during Akbar's reign, which lasted from 1556 to 1605.
- His translation is considered to be one of the earliest and most significant renditions of the Ramayan in Persian.

Abul Fazl:
- Abul Fazl, also known as Sheikh Abu al-Fazl ibn Mubarak, was a prominent courtier and advisor to Emperor Akbar.
- He is best known for his monumental work, the Akbarnama, which chronicles the reign of Akbar.
- While Abul Fazl did not directly translate the Ramayan into Persian, he was involved in the process of its translation.
- It is believed that Abul Fazl supervised the translation of the Ramayan by Badauni and provided guidance during the project.

Faizi:
- Faizi, whose full name was Shaikh Abu al-Faiz ibn Mubarak, was the brother of Abul Fazl and a renowned poet and scholar.
- Like his brother, Faizi was also a courtier in Akbar's court.
- While there is no concrete evidence to suggest that Faizi translated the Ramayan into Persian, some sources claim that he may have played a role in its translation.
- Faizi's expertise in Persian poetry and literature makes it plausible that he could have contributed to the translation process, either directly or indirectly.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, while the exact person responsible for translating the Ramayan into Persian remains uncertain, Badauni is often credited with the translation. It is also worth noting the potential involvement of Abul Fazl and Faizi in the process, given their close association with the Mughal court and their expertise in Persian literature. These individuals played significant roles in the cultural and intellectual milieu of the Mughal era, contributing to the translation and promotion of various texts, including the Ramayan.

Abul Fazal translated Ramayan into Persian.