The Ethical Significance of Ziauddin Barni’s Fatwa-E Jahandari and its Contemporary Relevance

Abstract

Ziauddin Barni was the first Muslim to write the history of India. His close association with the ruling circles of Delhi enabled him to observe the administrative activities of the kings. Based on his experiences, he has documented the historical data in his works. His Fatwa-e Jahandari is a monumental work, which is a record of not only the historical facts but also a detailed account of the qualities of an ideal ruler. It enumerates and illustrates twenty four political ideals that should be part and parcel of a good ruler. This research paper focuses on ten values advocated by Barni, which could be viewed as an essential part of the ethical values. It showcases the significance of ethical leadership and offers an analysis of ten select values in the light of ethics. Subsequently, it depicts how the ethical values recommended by Barni are pertinent to the contemporary society.