The Bābur-nāma in English (Memoirs of Bābur) (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Memoirs of Conquest, Exile, and Empire Across Central Asia, Kabul, and Sixteenth-Century IndiaBy Emperor of Hindustan Babur
Length41h 47m
About this audiobook
The Bābur-nāma in English, the celebrated memoirs of Ẓahīr al-Dīn Muḥammad Bābur, is one of the great autobiographical works of the early modern Islamic world. Written originally in Chagatai Turkish and here made accessible to English readers, it combines dynastic chronicle, military narrative, travel writing, natural history, and intimate self-portraiture. Its style is strikingly candid: precise in observation, lucid in judgment, and often lyrical in descriptions of landscapes, gardens, climates, and customs across Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Hindustan. Bābur, the Timurid prince who became the first Mughal emperor of India, wrote from the vantage point of exile, ambition, conquest, and cultivated memory. Descended from Timur and linked by heritage to the Chinggisid world, he endured political dispossession in Farghana and Samarqand before establishing power in Kabul and, ultimately, Hindustan. These experiences shaped a memoir unusually alert to instability, legitimacy, personal feeling, and the practical burdens of rulership. This volume is essential for readers of Mughal history, Islamic literature, autobiography, and imperial state formation. It offers not merely the record of a conqueror, but the mind of a ruler, aesthete, observer, and survivor.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 4.0 (883)
Includes Goodreads
GenreBiography and Memoir
Length41 hrs 47 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateNov 30, 2023
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1The Bābur-nāma in English (Memoirs of Bābur) (Annotated)
2Introduction
3Synopsis
4Historical Context
5Author Biography
Show all chaptersShow less
6Appendices
7PREFACE.
8Introductory.
9Chapter I. BABUR’S EXEMPLARS IN THE ARTS OF PEACE.
10Chapter II. PROBLEMS OF THE MUTILATED BABUR-NAMA.
11Chapter III. THE TURKI MSS. AND WORK CONNECTING WITH THEM.
12Chapter IV. THE LEYDEN AND ERSKINE MEMOIRS OF BABER.
13Postscript of Thanks.
14SECTION I. FARGHĀNA.
15AH.—Oct. 12th 1493 to Oct. 2nd 1494 AD.
16900 AH.-OCT. 2nd. 1494 to SEP. 21st. 1495 AD. 232
17901 AH.—SEP. 21st. 1495 to SEP. 9th. 1496 AD. 282
18902 AH.—SEP. 9th. 1496 to AUG. 30th. 1497 AD. 309
19903 AH.—AUG. 30th. 1497 to AUG. 19th. 1498 AD. 335
20904 AH.—AUG. 19th. 1498 to AUG. 8th. 1499 AD. 432
21905 AH. AUG. 8th. 1499 to JULY 28th. 1500 AD. 470
22906 AH.—JULY 28th. 1500 to JULY 17th. 1501 AD. 527
23907 AH.—JULY 17th. 1501 to JULY 7th. 1502 AD. 567
24908 AH.—JULY 7th. 1502 to JUNE 26th. 1503 AD. 607
25SECTION II. KĀBUL 666
26910 AH.-JUNE 14th 1504 to JUNE 4th 1505 AD. 667
27911 AH.—JUNE 4th 1505 to MAY 24th 1506 AD. 940
28912 AH.-MAY 24th 1506 to MAY 13th 1507 AD. 1171
29913 AH.-MAY 13th 1507 to MAY 2nd 1508 AD. 1246
30914 AH.—MAY 2nd 1508 to APRIL 21st 1509 AD. 1322
31USEFUL SOURCES
32EVENTS OF THE UNCHRONICLED YEARS
33EVENTS OF THE UNCHRONICLED YEARS
34SECTION III. HINDŪSTĀN
35932 AH.-OCT. 18th 1525 to OCT. 8th 1526 AD. 1565
36933 AH.-OCT. 8th 1526 to SEP. 27th 1527 AD. 1961
37934 AH.-SEP. 27th 1527 to SEP. 15th 1528 AD. 2171
38935 AH.-SEP. 15th 1528 to SEP. 5th 1529 AD. 2242
39936 AH.-SEP. 5th 1529 to AUGUST 25th 1530 AD.
40APPENDICES.
41A.—THE SITE AND DISAPPEARANCE OF OLD AKHSĪ.
42B.—THE BIRDS, QĪL QŪYIRŪGH AND BĀGHRĪ QARĀ.
43C.—ON THE GOSHA-GĪR.
44D.—ON THE RESCUE PASSAGE.
45[APPENDICES TO THE KĀBUL SECTION.]
46E.—NAGARAHĀR, AND NĪNG-NAHĀR
47F.—ON THE NAME DARA-I-NŪR
48G.—ON THE NAMES OF TWO DARA-I-NŪR WINES.
49H.—ON THE COUNTERMARK BIH BŪD ON COINS.
50I.—ON THE WEEPING-WILLOWS OF f. 190 b .
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