Consider the following statements regarding society during the Bahmani Kingdom:
1. There was no middle class in Bahmani society.
2. The nobles were known for their extreme wealth and grandeur.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation Statement 1 is not correct: The social structure of the Bahmani Kingdom was diverse, consisting of Muslims, Hindus, Iranians, Transoxians, Iraqis, Abyssinians (Habshis), and later, the Portuguese. This diversity was also reflected in its linguistic landscape, with languages like Persian, Marathi, Dakhni (proto-Urdu), Kannada, and Telugu being widely spoken. Although the Russian traveler Nikitin broadly classified society into two groups, historical evidence indicates the presence of a merchant class that functioned as the middle class. Merchants played a crucial role in the economy by engaging in trade and commerce.
Statement 2 is correct: Russian traveler Nikitin broadly classified society into two groups: the poor and the nobles, who were extremely wealthy and lived in great grandeur. He described how nobles were carried on silver beds, followed by an extravagant entourage of horses, soldiers, and torchbearers. The Bahmani Wazir, Mahmud Gawan, also displayed significant opulence, hosting grand feasts for 500 men daily and maintaining 100 armed guards for his residence.
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