From Farghana to Fatehpur: Babur's Tumultuous Rise
Published on 4/17/2025
The Akbarnama, the grand chronicle of Emperor Akbar's reign, doesn't just detail the glories of the later empire. It meticulously traces the lineage and the challenging path that led to its founding, beginning with the remarkable story of Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur, the first Mughal Emperor of Hindustan.
Born on February 14, 1483, Babur inherited a complex legacy, tracing his ancestry back to both Timur and Chingiz Khan. His early life, however, was far from the stability suggested by such illustrious forebears.
A Throne Inherited in Turmoil
Babur's father, Umar Shaikh Mirza, ruled the territory of Farghana. His sudden death in 1494, caused by a precipice collapse near his pigeon house in Akhsi, thrust the twelve-year-old Babur onto the throne. This was a time of intense political flux in Transoxiana, with various Chagatai princes and the rising power of the Uzbeks vying for control.
Immediately, Babur faced threats from his own relatives, including his uncles Sultan Ahmad Mirza and Sultan Mahmud Khan. Despite his youth, Babur displayed remarkable courage and strategic thinking, navigating these early challenges and securing his position in Andijan, the capital of Farghana.
The Dream of Samarqand
More than just holding onto Farghana, Babur harbored a deep ambition: to conquer Samarqand, the magnificent capital of his ancestor Timur. This quest became a central theme of his early reign, marked by repeated attempts and temporary successes.
He captured Samarqand thrice, first in 1497 from Bayasanghar Mirza, again in 1500 from Shaibani Khan, and a third time in 1511 after Shaibani's death. However, holding the city proved difficult against the persistent pressure of the Uzbeks. These years were a constant cycle of conflict, loss, and resilience, shaping Babur into a seasoned military leader.
A New Horizon: Towards Hindustan
The relentless struggle in Transoxiana, coupled with a growing sense that his destiny lay elsewhere, eventually turned Babur's gaze towards the Indian subcontinent. The Akbarnama notes that God's plan involved revealing the 'unique pearl' (Akbar) and acquiring Hindustan, necessitating Babur's move to a 'strange land'.
Compelled by circumstances in his homeland, Babur moved towards Badakhshan and Kabul. He took Kabul in 1504, establishing a new base. His initial expeditions into India, starting around 1505, revealed a world vastly different from his own, with distinct landscapes, flora, fauna, and customs. These early forays were exploratory, testing the waters of a new frontier.
The Fifth Expedition and the Dawn of an Empire
After several preliminary expeditions, Babur launched his fifth and decisive campaign into India in 1525. Despite facing the numerically superior forces of Sultan Ibrahim Lodi, the ruler of Delhi, Babur's army, though small (around 12,000 men), was disciplined and strategically adept.
The pivotal moment came at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526. Babur masterfully employed tactics learned from the Ottomans, utilizing artillery and a defensive formation of chained carts (araba) to devastating effect. The Akbarnama highlights the sheer improbability of this victory, achieved against an army of nearly 100,000 cavalry and 1,000 elephants, attributing it to Divine aid and Babur's unwavering courage.
Establishing a Foothold
The victory at Panipat was not the end of the struggle, but the beginning of a new one. Babur quickly moved to secure Agra and Delhi. He faced immediate resistance from various local chiefs and the challenges of a new climate and environment. Despite the desire of some of his officers to return to the familiar lands of Kabul, Babur made the momentous decision to stay and consolidate his gains.
His early reign in India involved distributing the vast treasures acquired, rewarding his loyal followers, and beginning the arduous task of establishing administrative control. His resilience, strategic brilliance, and ability to inspire loyalty, forged in the crucible of his early life, were essential in laying the foundation for what would become one of the world's great empires.
Babur's journey from a young prince in a contested homeland to the founder of a vast empire in India is a testament to perseverance against overwhelming odds. His story, as told through the lens of the Akbarnama, reminds us that even the most illustrious destinies are often shaped by hardship and unwavering resolve.