Suhaldev

Why in news?

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday laid the foundation stone of the statue of Raja Suheldev in Bahraich district of Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

About Suhaldev:

• Suhaldev or Suheldev is an Indian king from Shravasti, popularly known to have defeated and killed the Ghaznavid general Ghazi Saiyyad Salar Masud at Bahraich in 1034 CE.
• He is mentioned in the 17th century Persian-language historical romance Mirat-i-Masudi.
• It was written by Abd-ur-Rahman Chishti during the reign of the Mughal emperor Jahangir (r. 1605–1627).
• The legend has been subsequently embellished by members of various castes and political groups.
• As per the story Ghazi Salar Masud, a nephew of Mahmud of Ghazni, invaded India at the age of 16. He crossed the Indus river, and conquered Multan, Delhi, Meerut and finally Satrikh.
• Suhaldev's army defeated Masud's forces, and Masud was killed in a battle at Bahraich on 15 June 1033 CE.
• Since the 20th century, various Hindu nationalist groups have characterized him as a Hindu King who defeated a Muslim invader.

PRELIMS QUESTION

Consider the following statements regarding Suhaldev:
1.He is believed to have lived-in present-day Assam.
2.He is believed to defeated Ghaznavid general Ghazi Salar Masud.
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

Answer to Prelims Question