How true is the claim about this Sanskrit epic [see link] being derived from a Persian work?

Link: https://scroll.in/article/918110/this-sanskrit-epic-derived-from-a-persian-work-brings-together-figures-from-many-religions
I was half expecting the article to feature the usual dross and half-truths by the likes of Ruchika Sharma and her fellow JNUites- but it was surprising to see something factual being printed by Troll.in. I suspect some intern was filling in for the Editors at the time.

It is not a surprise to see cross-cultural influences across Civilizations- and considering that Persia is right next door, it’d have been a real miracle if Indian scholars weren't influenced by Persian literary motifs and works.

OP’s confusion likely arises for two reasons:

1- A persistent myth has been inculcated among modern Indians by the intellectual classes of the Nehruvian Republic that Sanskrit, throughout history, was- at best- a shadowy ritualistic language that was understood by barely more than a handful of people throughout the Continent and- as is prevalent among certain circles- the vehicle of ‘fascistic’ “Hindu Aryan oppressors” (thus providing certain “people’s leaders” their excuses to assault and massacre Hindus across the nation).

In reality, Sanskrit was THE lingua franca for the educated Hindus of the Continent, being the language for High Entertainment, Science & Technology, Military Science, and Commercial Pursuits- well into the 19th Century. Out of the recorded 4.1 million Manuscripts registered in government annals- the VAST majority of which remain untranslated (and where said 4.1 million is merely a tiny fraction of what must've once existed)- Sanskrit Manuscripts make up more than 1.2 million, six times more than the next nearest language- Oriya.

It is no surprise that a 15th Century Sanskrit scholar was writing in Sanskrit for official purposes. It would have been more surprising if he hadn't been- especially if he was keeping non-Kashmiri audiences in mind.

2- The pedestalization as well as marginalization of the term “Epic”, in various modes depending on the situation. This, I believe, is owing to the intellectual hollowness of the educated classes of modern India whose ignorance is transmitted to the general populace subsequently.

An Epic typically consists of a fairly long narrative describing the deeds of semi-legendary characters whose actions laid the foundation for a people’s society. The more significant among such literary pieces often attain mythic status by themselves- such as Beowulf for the Northern Europeans. The most iconic examples for Hindus are the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. For some reason (obvious, if you have thought about it at length) however, the pop history of the Republic of India appears to restrict any and all discussion on Bharata Epic Literature to the Ramayana and the Mahabharata- owing to which the pop culture in the Republic appears to pedestalize the term

In actuality- there are dozens of examples of Epic Literature from India, as well as hundreds which were destroyed in the past for reasons that bear no repeatation here. A noteworthy example is the Shaturnjaya Mahatmya, detailing the world-view and history of the Western Bharatas during the reign of the High King Shiladitya I Maitraka also known as Dharmaditya for his piousness and generosity (at least where Hindus and Jains were concerned), descended from former Gupta governors and the Lord of Saurashtra- one of the chief rivals to Emperor Harsha in the early days of the latter’s reign.

As such, it is not a surprise for a Sanskrit “Epic” to have been composed as late as the 15th Century; one can be composed even today if a Bharata strong in Dharma and obedient to Rta arises. But this is unlikely at present.