The Story of Babur

The memoirs of Babur (1483–1530), descendant of Genghis Khan and Timur (Tamburlaine) and founder of the mighty Mughal Empire, enjoy worldwide renown as the first true autobiography in Islamic literature and an absorbing account of conquest and wise rule, composed by a man whose erudition and statecraft have elevated him to the status of a national hero in the countries of Central Asia. Babur’s narrative describes not only the battles that propelled him to power, but the people, flora and fauna of the lands he ruled – taking us from Samarkand to Kabul to northern India. Anuradha Sharma’s lucid and lively retelling of the Baburnama will introduce this classic of world literature to a new generation of young readers, for whom the story of Babur will serve as both a thrilling adventure and an exemplary tale.

The Story of Babur: Prince, Emperor, Sage is published as the Republic of Uzbekistan undertakes an extensive programme of promoting and communicating its rich cultural heritage both within its own borders and to the rest of the world. The book’s publication will coincide with an exhibition on the Boburid dynasty of the Mughal Empire at the Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC. This new children’s edition will be available in English, Russian and Uzbek versions, as well as in Braille editions of all three languages.