The 'Padshahnama', the official history of the first twenty years of Shah Jahan's reign, was written by:

The "Padshahnama" (Badshahnama), the official history of the first twenty years of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan's reign, was written in Persian by Abdul Hamid Lahori.

About Abdul Hamid Lahori:

• He was a historian from Lahore, and a pupil of Abul Fazl.
• He was appointed by Shah Jahan to write the official history of his reign, because the emperor admired his style, which was modelled on that of Abul Fazl.
• He wrote in an ornate and elaborate Persian style.
• He was old and in poor health when he wrote the later parts.

About the Padshahnama:

• NCERT discusses the Padshahnama as an important example of the Mughal chronicles.
• It is in three volumes (daftars) of 1,000 pages each, covering ten lunar years each.
• Lahori wrote the first two daftars, covering the first two decades of the reign (1627-1647).
• These volumes were later revised by Sadullah Khan, Shah Jahan's wazir.
• Old age prevented Lahori from going on with the third decade, which was then chronicled by the historian Muhammad Waris.

The illustrated Padshahnama:

• NCERT notes that an illustrated manuscript of the Padshahnama, with 44 paintings, is in the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle, England.
• It was presented to King George III by the Nawab of Awadh in 1799.
• Its paintings show court scenes, battles, ceremonies and portraits, and are among the finest Mughal paintings.

Contents:

• It describes the emperor's daily routine, the court, the nobles, military campaigns, revenue, buildings and ceremonies.
• It gives the official, idealised view of Shah Jahan's rule.

About the Mughal court histories:

• The emperors commissioned court historians to write accounts of their reigns.
• These accounts emphasised the emperor's achievements, justice and divine favour.
• They were written in Persian, the language of the court.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Abul Fazl wrote about Akbar's reign.
• ✗Mutamad Khan wrote about Jahangir's reign.
• ✗Badauni wrote about Akbar's period.