Firdausi, the great Persian poet and author of the Shahnama, lived during Mahmud Ghaznavi’s time but did not accompany him on any Indian expedition. The Shahnama was a monumental literary work celebrating Persian history and mythology. Although Mahmud initially supported Firdausi, conflicts later arose over promised rewards, leading to strained relations. In contrast, historians like Alberuni, Utbi, and Vaihaki closely observed Mahmud’s campaigns and documented them. Alberuni’s Kitab-ul-Hind remains a vital source on Indian society, while Utbi’s Tarikh-i-Yamini and Vaihaki’s Tarikh-i-Subuktagin provide political accounts. Firdausi’s contribution was cultural, not historical or military.

ANSWER:

(A) Firdaus, author of Shahnama