Which of the following Raja/Sultan/poet was entitled Gandharva on account of his genius in the field of music?

Correct option is B

The correct answer is (B) Sultan Husain Sharqi

Explanation:
• Sultan Husain Shah Sharqi, the last ruler of Jaunpur, was a legendary patron of music and a brilliant composer. He is credited with the development of 'Khayal' singing as a major genre of Hindustani classical music.
• Because of his deep knowledge and creative genius in music, he was given the title 'Gandharva'.
• He is also credited with inventing several ragas, most notably 'Jaunpuri Todi'. Even after he lost his kingdom to Bahlul Lodi and went into exile, he continued to be respected as a master of music.
• The Sharqi dynasty turned Jaunpur into a great center of learning and culture, earning it the title 'Shiraz-i-Hind'.

Information Booster:
• Raja Man Singh Tomar (Option C) was another great patron who authored 'Man Kautuhal', the first Persian work on Indian music.
• Amir Khusrau (Option D) is known as the 'Tut-i-Hind' (Parrot of India) and credited with the Sitar and Tabla.

Additional Knowledge:
• Sikandar Lodi (Option A): Though a patron of learning and translation (Lahjat-i-Sikandar Shahi), he is not associated with the title 'Gandharva'.
• The title 'Gandharva' refers to the celestial musicians in Indian mythology, denoting a semi-divine status in musical skill.