Babur and His World: A Culture of Books

Babur was a Timurid, a descendant of the Central Asian ruler Timur who, in the thirteenth century, conquered a vast territory stretching across Asia. The Timurids, whether scrappy princes with small realms or great rulers, were enthusiastic patrons of the written word. They built libraries, commissioned richly illuminated and illustrated manuscripts, and wrote poetry. This culture shaped Babur’s early experiences with art and literature, and his appreciation for these traditions shows up throughout his candid prose.

Babur’s descendants became known as the Mughals after his maternal ancestor, the Mongol Genghis Khan, whose descendants reigned over much of the region from the mid-thirteenth century to the mid-fourteenth century. However, the Mughals most closely identified with their Timurid heritage. They continued this legacy by commissioning their own copies of the poems and stories known to Babur.

A Prince’s Poetry

The visual artistry of a well-crafted manuscript was as important as its literary content. These folios come from a copy of the collected poems of Sultan Husayn Mirza Bayqara, ruler of Herat and Babur’s distant cousin. Composed in Chagatai Turkish, the verses were copied by one of the Sultan’s master calligraphers.

The calligraphic lines may appear spontaneous, but each verse is executed in a painstaking decoupage technique known as qita’i. Words are cut from light-toned paper and are meticulously arranged against a contrasting background to create the appearance of a single, fluid gesture. The final product is a rhythmic interplay of forms and hues, heightened with touches of shimmering gold. Developed in Herat, the art form exemplifies the refined tastes of the Timurid princes in the latter part of the fifteenth century.

Babur the Connoisseur

Timurid nobles displayed their sophistication by commenting on painting, calligraphy, and poetry. This literary anthology opens with a painting by the renowned fifteenth-century Persian artist Bihzad. The painter, who achieved legendary acclaim, worked at the court of Babur’s ancestors in Herat. Babur praised Bihzad’s delicate style, but—with his customary frankness—said that the artist drew chins too large. While his observations may seem casual or even disrespectful, they were part of interacting with and appreciating a luxury manuscript.

Legends and Legacy

Stories of Babur’s ancestors shaped his sense of self and his destiny. These role models remained important to Babur’s descendants, for whom these folios were painted.

For princes like Babur, the Central Asian ruler Timur exemplified power and military genius. Multiple chronicles elevated his life and deeds to almost mythical status. Here, Timur, astride a white horse, appears as the dynamic hero of a dramatic and bloody battle.

Legends and Legacy

In 1502, invading Uzbek forces routed Babur from his territory. Forced on the run, Babur looked to the mythical Persian king Jamshid. Here, the gold-robed Jamshid writes a poem onto a rock face about the impermanence of life. Even though fleeing, Babur imitated the fabled monarch by carving his own poem into a mountain pass. Jamshid’s Timurid crown and Indian attendants—like the musicians in the lower right—further connect his story with that of the Mughals.