BABUR’S TIMURID SULTANATE

Аннотация

This article discusses the historical neglect of Babur, the founder of the Babur Empire in South Asia, and the recent resurgence of interest in his role due to political and religious controversies. Historically, scholars have focused on his son Akbar as the empire's founder, largely ignoring Babur's heritage and his reign's early years. However, in 1992, the destruction of the Babri Masjid mosque in Ayodhya by Hindu revivalists sparked renewed interest in Babur's Indian conquest. These individuals claimed that Babur intentionally built the mosque on the site of a Hindu temple to assert his militant religious intent in Islamizing Hindustan. This article argues that Babur's invasion of North India was not driven by religious crusade but by a desire to establish a Timurid empire in the prosperous North Indian region. Despite evidence to the contrary, Hindu nationalist rhetoric continues to promote the idea of Babur's evangelical mission, making scholarly analysis of this issue crucial in twenty-first century India. Fortunately, Babur's autobiography provides valuable insights into his motives, policies, and actions, offering a unique perspective on his Turco-Mongol society, Persianized culture, and Timurid political career.