In which language did Banarsidas write a very interesting autobiography, the Ardh-Kathanak in 1641?

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UGC NET Paper-2: History 2nd Dec 2019 Shift 1
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  1. Awadhi
  2. Braj
  3. Marathi
  4. Sanskrit

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : Braj
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UGC NET Paper 1: Held on 21st August 2024 Shift 1
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Banarasi Das was a Jain merchant, poet, and philosopher who lived from 1586-1643 CE.

For Jains, a “full” human lifespan is 110 years, and Banarasi wrote his autobiography when he was 55. Thus, he titled his text Ardhakathanak, meaning Half Story.

The Ardhakathanak is the earliest known autobiography written in a South Asian language (Braj bhasa).

The book was from the perspective of a citizen, not a ruler. Banarasidas lived during the reign of Akbar, Jahangir and Shahjahan. Hence, Ardh-kathAnaka is also notable for many details of life in Mughal times.

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