Being the founder of the Mughal Empire, a dynasty that had a significant impact on the Indian subcontinent, the name Babur has reverberated throughout South Asian history. Babur, who was born in 1483, had an exciting life filled with victories, political upheavals, and adventures. His legacy continues to have an impact on the area centuries after his passing. This blog digs at Babur’s life, from his early days in Central Asia to his conquest of India, his personal life, and his contributions to art, literature, and governance.
Early Life and Background
Zahir
ud-Din Muhammad Babur was born
on February 14, 1483, in Andijan, in the Fergana Valley (modern-day
Uzbekistan), to a lineage of rulers. His father, Umar Shaikh Mirza II, was a
direct descendant of Timur (Tamerlane), while his mother, Qutlugh Nigar Khanum,
descended from Genghis Khan. Babur's lineage combined the military prowess and
imperial ambition of both these historical conquerors, shaping his future
endeavors as a ruler and strategist.
When
Babur was just 12, his father died in a freak accident, leaving the young boy
to inherit the throne of Ferghana, a small kingdom. It was a precarious
position, as the region was rife with rivalries and internal struggles among
various Timurid princes. Despite these challenges, Babur demonstrated
remarkable political savvy, managing to hold his ground and even expand his
influence during his teenage years.
Babur (Zahir ud-Din Muhammad)
Titles:
Mughal Emperor (Padishah): Reigned from April 21, 1526, to
December 26, 1530.
Amir of Kabul: From October 1504 to April 21, 1526, before
he became Mughal Emperor.
Amir of Ferghana: From June 10, 1494, to 1497.
Predecessor as Mughal Emperor: Ibrahim Lodhi (as Sultan of Delhi)
Successor: Humayun (his son)
Born: February 14, 1483, in Andijan, Timurid Empire
Died: December 26, 1530 (aged 47), in Agra, Mughal Empire
Burial: Gardens of Babur, Kabul, Afghanistan
Major Consorts:
Maham Begum (married in 1506)
Aisha Sultan Begum (married in 1499; divorced in 1503)
Zainab Sultan Begum (married in 1504; died in 1506)
Masuma Sultan Begum (married in 1507; died in 1509)
Bibi Mubarika (married in 1519)
Notable Children:
Humayun (successor)
Kamran Mirza
Askari Mirza
Hindal Mirza
Gulbadan Begum (famous for writing his biography)
Gulchehra Begum
Fakhr-un-Nissa Begum
Masuma Sultan Begum
Family:
Father: Umar Shaikh Mirza II
Mother: Qutlugh Nigar Khanum
Dynasty: Timurid dynasty, House of Babur
Religion: Sunni Islam
Posthumous Title: "Firdaws Makani" (Dwelling in Paradise)
Signature Seal: Babur’s personal signature
Ruler of Central Asia: Struggles and Ambitions
Babur’s early years as a ruler were marked by a series of setbacks and brief
victories. His primary goal was to seize control of the great city of
Samarkand, the heart of Timur's empire, and cement his status as a true Timurid
ruler. He first captured Samarkand at the age of 15, only to lose it within a
few months due to revolts and political betrayal.
Undeterred, Babur made multiple attempts to regain Samarkand, but his
efforts were thwarted by stronger rivals, most notably the Uzbek chieftain
Shaybani Khan, who eventually pushed Babur out of Central Asia. These failures,
though disheartening, taught Babur invaluable lessons in strategy, diplomacy,
and leadership that he would later use to build his empire in South Asia.
Constructing a New Base in Kabul
Babur shifted his focus from Central Asia to Kabul, the former capital of his
ancestors' kingdom, in 1504. Because of Kabul's political climate, Babur was
able to seize power with little opposition. At the age of 21, Babur became the
Amir of Kabul, marking a turning point in his life. In addition to offering
Babur a secure base from which to conduct military operations, Kabul was also
the area where he started to foster his literary and artistic pursuits. By
bringing academics, poets, and artists to his court, he turned the city into a
center of culture. He also rose to prominence as a poet, publishing poems in
Chaghatai Turkish as well as Persian. Afghanistan would be his stronghold
for the next two decades as he prepared for his most ambitious
endeavor—conquering India.
Foreign Relations: Diplomacy and Allies
While in Kabul, Babur maintained complex relationships with neighboring
powers. His main challenge in Central Asia was Shaybani Khan of the Uzbeks, who
had seized much of Timurid territory. Although Babur failed to reclaim these
lands, he established diplomatic contacts with the Safavid Empire of Persia
under Shah Ismail. This alliance, though sometimes strained by religious
differences—Babur being Sunni and the Safavids being Shia—proved useful in
gaining military support during his campaigns in India.
Babur’s relations with the Ottomans were also notable. Though he never
received direct assistance from them, Babur admired the military and
administrative techniques of the Ottoman Empire, which would later influence
his own governance style in India.
The Formation of the Mughal Empire: Entering India
Babur’s conquest of India was both a personal ambition and a practical
necessity. Central Asia had become increasingly hostile, with the rise of the
Uzbeks making it impossible for Babur to regain his ancestral lands. His
attention turned toward the rich plains of Hindustan (India), a land fragmented
into competing kingdoms ripe for conquest.
In 1519, Babur launched his first expedition into India, though it wasn’t
until 1526 that he would face his greatest test—the First Battle of
Panipat. The ruling Sultan of Delhi, Ibrahim Lodhi, commanded a large
but poorly organized army. Babur, with a force of around 15,000 men, faced a
much larger enemy. But Babur's military genius, combined with his use of modern
gunpowder weapons, especially cannons, proved decisive.
The First Battle of Panipat (1526): Babur’s Military Genius
The First Battle of Panipat, fought on April 21, 1526, was a watershed
moment in Indian history. Babur’s army, despite being heavily outnumbered, decisively
defeated Ibrahim Lodhi’s forces. His strategic use of artillery, matchlock
rifles, and defensive formations—such as the tulughma (wheeled formations of
cavalry) and use of carts for protection—proved revolutionary in Indian
warfare.
With Ibrahim Lodhi dead and his army scattered, Babur entered Delhi and
Agra, declaring himself the ruler of Hindustan. This marked the formal
establishment of the Mughal Empire, though Babur would face further challenges
in consolidating his power.
The Battle of Khanwa (1527): Defeating Rajput Resistance
No sooner had Babur established his rule in Delhi than he faced a formidable
alliance of Rajput rulers, led by Rana Sanga of Mewar. The
Rajputs were known for their valor and skill in battle, and Rana Sanga’s forces
vastly outnumbered Babur’s. Yet, at the Battle of Khanwa in
1527, Babur once again emerged victorious.
This victory was crucial in solidifying Babur’s hold over North India. After
Khanwa, the Rajput power was significantly weakened, and Babur’s dominance over
the region was unquestioned.
The Battle of Chanderi (1528): Completing the Conquest
The Battle of Chanderi in 1528 was Babur’s final major
conflict in India. Chanderi, ruled by Medini Rai, was a Rajput stronghold.
Babur’s swift and decisive campaign resulted in the capture of the fort,
further reducing the power of the Rajput confederacy.
With Chanderi subdued, Babur had effectively crushed the major opposition to
his rule in North India, allowing him to consolidate the Mughal Empire’s
territory and governance structures.
Religious Policy: A Pragmatic Ruler
Babur was a devout Sunni Muslim, but he was also pragmatic when it came to
religious matters. Unlike some of his descendants, who would adopt more
syncretic approaches, Babur’s religious policy was somewhat conservative.
However, he did not impose his faith harshly on his subjects. His
administration included Hindus, and he allowed them to practice their religion
without interference.
After his victory over Rana Sanga, Babur claimed to have abandoned wine and
dedicated his victories to the cause of Islam, framing his conquests as a jihad
against the Rajput infidels. However, this was likely more a political and
symbolic gesture than an actual religious policy. Babur’s priority was the
stability and consolidation of his empire, which required cooperation between
various religious and ethnic groups.
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Personal Life and Relationships: A Man of Emotion
Babur’s personal life was as rich and eventful as his political career. He
had multiple wives, the most notable being Maham Begum, who bore him his eldest
son and successor, Humayun. Other prominent wives included Aisha Sultan Begum,
Zainab Sultan Begum, and Masuma Sultan Begum. Babur had a large family, with
many sons and daughters, several of whom played important roles in the Mughal
court.
His relationship with his children, especially Humayun, was affectionate and
close. Babur was also deeply attached to his friends and companions, often
writing about them with great warmth in his memoirs.
Poetry
and Literary Contributions: Babur's Memoirs Babur was a man of letters in
addition to being a warrior. His biggest literary effort is the Baburnama, an
autobiography written in Chaghatai Turkish (later translated into Persian). His
life story, as told in The Baburnama, is intriguing and full of detailed
accounts of the places he traveled, the people he met, and his thoughts on
life's experiences.
Babur was also a poet, and his poetry, which he wrote in Turkish and Persian,
reveals his sensitive side and intense feelings. His poetry covers a wide
spectrum, from reflections on the beauty of nature, love, and friendship to
feelings of grief for his lost motherland.
Death and Legacy: A Dynasty Forged
On December 26, 1530, Babur died at the age of 47 in Agra. According to
legend, when his son Humayun fell ill, Babur prayed to God, asking that his own
life be taken in exchange for his son's recovery. Shortly after, Humayun
recovered, and Babur passed away.
Babur was initially buried in Agra, but his remains were later moved to
Kabul, where he had wished to be interred. His tomb, the Gardens of
Babur, remains a place of pilgrimage and a testament to his love for
the city.
Babur’s death marked the end of his personal journey, but his legacy
endured. He laid the foundation for the Mughal Empire, which would grow to
become one of the most powerful and culturally rich empires in history under
his successors like Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan