Who is the author of the epic poem 'Padmavat'?

"Padmavat" is an epic poem written by the Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi in 1540 CE, in the Awadhi language.

About Padmavat:

It tells the story of Padmavati (Padmini), the beautiful princess of Singhal-dweep (Sri Lanka), and Ratansen, the Rajput king of Chittor, who hears of her beauty from a talking parrot named Hiraman and goes to win her.

Later, Sultan Alauddin Khilji of Delhi hears of Padmavati's beauty and attacks Chittor to capture her. After Ratansen dies, Padmavati and the women of Chittor commit "jauhar" (self-immolation) to avoid capture.

The poem is also read as a Sufi allegory: Ratansen represents the human soul, Padmavati represents divine wisdom, Chittor represents the body, and Alauddin represents illusion (maya).

It is written in "doha" and "chaupai" verse forms and was originally written in the Persian script.

Historians consider the story largely legendary, since contemporary accounts of Alauddin Khilji's conquest of Chittor (1303) do not mention Padmini.

In 2018, the Hindi film "Padmaavat", directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, was based on the poem and caused much controversy.

About Malik Muhammad Jayasi:

• He lived in the 16th century in Jais, a town in present-day Amethi district of Uttar Pradesh, from which he took his name.
• He was a disciple of Sufi saints of the Chishti order.
• His other works include "Akhrawat" and "Akhiri Kalam".

Other famous medieval poets:

• Amir Khusrau: Persian poet at the court of Alauddin Khilji; wrote "Khazain-ul-Futuh" about Alauddin's conquests.
• Tulsidas: "Ramcharitmanas" (Awadhi, 1574-1577).
• Kabir: "Bijak" (dohas and sakhis).
• Surdas: "Sursagar" (Braj Bhasha).

Why not the other options?

• ✗Amir Khusrau wrote "Khazain-ul-Futuh" and many Persian poems.
• ✗Tulsidas wrote "Ramcharitmanas", also in Awadhi.
• ✗Kabir's verses are collected in the "Bijak".