Tuzuk-i-Babari

Tuzuk-i-Babutri is the autobiography of Babur, the first Mughal ruler in India who established the Mughal rule in India after defeating Ibrahim Lodhi, the last ruler of the Lodhi dynasty. Tuzuk-i-Baburi is written by Babur in Turkish (Chagatai) language. It is also called as History of Babur. This work of Babur was translated into Persian (the court language of the court Mughals) by Abdul Rahim Khan-e-Khana, during the reign of Akbar. It was also translated into English by Madam Annette Beveridge. This book is also taught as a textbook in more than 25 countries. This book deals with the socio-political and economic condition of the society during the time of Babur.

Content of the Book

Tuzuk-i-Baburi is written in prose as well as poem form in the Persian language. Babur starts his autobiography with the following sentence:

In the month of Ramadan of the year 899 (1494) and in the twelfth year of my age, I became ruler in the country of Farghana.

In this line, he clearly mentions himself as the ruler of Farghana. He further tells how he lost Samarkand twice and finally moved to Kabul. The book does not mention the details of early childhood of Babur and is considered to be lost in the course of time. The book further tells us about establishing the Mughal rule in Kabul. The last part of the book deals with the establishment of the Mughal government in India. Babur describes the First Battle of Panipat (1526) and then gives a detailed description of the geography of India. Babur also gives a detailed account of astronomy, plants and animals, artists, music, paintings, military, weapons, and much more about India. The book also contains multiple images in which Babur is the main person portrayed in the pictures. These pictures were not present in the original Baburnama written in Turkish but were added later by the artists of the Mughal emperor Akbar. Some scenes from Baburnama depict the following:

• Emergence of Babur from Khwaja Didar Fort
• Battle of Isfarah
• Babur visits a Hindu cave in Begram
• Babur and Humayun’s camp at Begram
• Various animals and birds such as peacocks, squirrels, peahen, cranes and fishes
• Battle at Hisar
• Deer and Cows in India
• Kohat foray

It is worthy to mention that Babur mentions Krishna Deva Raya, the great ruler of Vijaynagar, who was also a contemporary of Babur, in his autobiography.

He writes that he is facing wars from all sides in the Northern and North-western India but there is a king Krishna Deva Raya in South who rules very peacefuly and people are very happy in his rule.

Versions of Tuzuk-i-Baburi

Baburnama contains detailed information on various subjects. It is believed that Babur did not write such a detailed account, but Akbar added this later after the translation of Baburnama to Persian. The first 4 copies of the book written during the reign of Akbar were put for sale in 1913. There are various miniature versions of the book (nearly 70) out of which 20 are present in the Albert and Victoria Museum. India also has copies of the book kept safely in the National Museum, New Delhi, British Library, British Museum, and Walters Art Museum.

Baburnama is a very important source of history for historians, and they regard it as the best and most priceless one. They consider it to be fit for studying the history of the Mughals and India as it touches upon numerous aspects of India and the establishment of Mughal rule.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Que 1. Who is the author of Tuzuk-i-Baburi?

Tuzuk-i-Baburi has been authored by the first Mughal emperor, Babur.

Que 2. Name some books written by Babur.

Some books written by Babur are Baburnama, Diwan, Mubayian, Risal-i-Usaz.

Que 3. Name some animals mentioned by Babur in Baburnama.

Babur mentions various animals of India such as squirrels, deer and cows.

Que 4. Who translated Baburnama into English?

Madam Annette Beveridge translated Baburnama to English.

Que 5. Which important ruler of the South has been mentioned by Babur?

Babur mentions the ruler of Vijaynagar, Krishna Deva Raya in his book Baburnama or Tuzuk-i-Baburi.

Que 6. Between whom was the first battle of Panipat fought and when?

First battle of Panipat was fought between Ibrahim Lodhi and Babur in 1526. Babur emerged victorious in this battle and thus Mughal rule was established in India.