A Description of Babur’s Personality
Gulistan State University
Faculty of Philology
Student of Group 45-25
Botirova Gulsevar Muzaffar qizi
Email: botirovagulsevar2007@gmail.com
ORCID: 0009-0009-9308-6449
Abstract:This article highlights the heroic deeds of the protagonist Babur and his close relatives, such as Khanzada Begum and Khurramshah, as depicted in Pirimqul Qodirov’s novel “Starry Nights” (Yulduzli Tunlar). The work is dedicated to the life of the king and poet, Babur Mirza. It chronicles the period from his accession to the throne, through his military campaigns, until his death. His political career and acts of bravery are portrayed with historical authenticity.
Keywords: Timurid dynasty, historical novel, heroism, character, battle.
Аннотация: В данной статье рассматривается роман Пиримкула Кадырова “Звездные ночи” и образы героев, представленных в нем, таких как Бабур, Ханзаде бегим, Хуррамшах и другие близкие соратники героя. Освещаются каждое стихотворение и героические поступки поэта-шаха. Произведение посвящено жизни Бабура с момента его вступления на престол до самой смерти. Ярко описаны его политическая деятельность и личное мужество.
Ключевые слова: династия Тимуридов, исторический роман, героизм, образ, битва.
Annotatsiya: Ushbu maqolada Pirimqul Qodirovning “Yulduzli tunlar” asaridagi bosh qahramon Bobur va uning yaqinlari Xonzoda begim, Xurramshoh kabi obrazlarning ko‘rsatgan qahramonliklari yoritib beriladi. Asar shoh va shoir Bobur hazratlari hayotiga bag‘ishlanadi. Unda taxtga o‘tirganidan tortib olib borgan yurishlaridan to o‘limigacha bo‘lgan davr yozib o‘tilgan. Yuritgan siyosati va qahramonliklari haqiqiy tarzda yoritilgan.
Kalit so‘zlar: Temuriylar sulolasi, tarixiy roman, qahramonlik,obraz,jang.
Introduction
Like other forms of art, fiction reflects life, including the psychological states, thoughts, and feelings of people. Life always consists of human livelihood, labor activity, struggles, emotions, and experiences. An image (obraz) is an aesthetic category that characterizes reality through methods unique to art, transforming and interpreting it creatively. Any event artistically recreated in a literary work is also considered an image.
In fiction, an artistic image refers to a depiction of a person created as an individual character while simultaneously possessing features of artistic generalization and emotional impact. The concept of an image has both broad and narrow meanings. In a broad sense, it represents a life scene infused with the author’s thoughts and feelings; in a narrow sense, it refers specifically to the portrayal of a human figure in a literary work.
The novel “Starry Nights” by Pirimqul Qodirov was written over a period of ten years and tells the life story of Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur. The work is based on “Baburnama.” It is a mature example of Uzbek novel-writing, portraying Babur as both a ruler and a poet, as well as a highly educated figure of his time.
“Starry Nights” is considered one of the finest works of modern Uzbek literature. In the 1980s, Qodirov wrote its logical continuation, “The Pass of Generations,” about Babur’s grandson Humayun. In 1982, the author was awarded the State Prize of the Uzbek SSR named after Hamza for this novel.
The novel has been translated into several languages, including Russian, Karakalpak, Kyrgyz, Kazakh, Urdu, Turkish, Hindi, Bengali, and English. It has been translated into English twice: first by scholars of the Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages under the title “Starry Nights: Babur,” and later in 2023 by Carol Jermakova with the support of the Islam Karimov Foundation under the title “Babur: Starry Nights.”
Reading this work allows the reader to travel through history and live alongside the characters. The emotional impact of the novel is so powerful that it captures the reader’s imagination, immersing them in that era and its political environment. The inner experiences of the characters are depicted so vividly that the reader shares in their joys, sorrows, and struggles.
Babur is recognized worldwide as a great historical figure. As the First President of Uzbekistan stated: “A nation that gave the world such great individuals as Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur will never be humiliated and will inevitably achieve prosperity.” Similarly, Jawaharlal Nehru emphasized Babur’s influence, stating that his arrival in India brought significant progress and revitalized art, architecture, and culture.
Many scholars have praised Babur:
- Edward Holden noted that Babur was more worthy of love than Caesar due to his noble character.
- Qamar Rais emphasized that Babur’s greatness lies in the respect he earned in the hearts of the Indian people.
- Jawaharlal Nehru highlighted Babur’s role in broadening the spiritual and cultural horizons of the people.
- William Erskine stated that no ruler in Asia could match Babur in generosity, courage, talent, and love for science and art.
These examples show that Babur did not destroy the lands he conquered nor oppress their people. Instead, he worked tirelessly for the prosperity and development of the country. He built educational institutions and promoted knowledge. Despite opposition and conspiracies, Babur won the loyalty of the people through wisdom and compromise. His successors, especially Akbar, continued these traditions. These aspects are further elaborated in Qodirov’s novel “The Pass of Generations.”
Discussion and Results
As Qodirov himself wrote, the life and work of Babur is an endless ocean, capable of inspiring countless literary works. “Starry Nights” is one such creation. The novel consists of two parts: the first focuses on Movarounnahr, while the second describes events in Afghanistan, Khorasan, and India, unified by Babur’s personality and thoughts.
Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur was born on February 14, 1483, in Andijan. He was a descendant of Amir Temur and the eldest son of Umar Shaykh Mirza. His mother, Qutlug Nigar Khanum, was an intelligent and supportive woman who assisted him in governance and military campaigns.
Babur ascended the throne at the age of 12 after his father’s death. His main goal was to restore the empire founded by Amir Temur. He repeatedly attempted to capture Samarkand but faced betrayal and setbacks.
The novel also portrays the lives of ordinary people, beginning with the love story of Tohir and Robiya. Political struggles forced Babur into constant battles. Figures like Ahmad Tanbal posed threats, while Khanzada Begum demonstrated remarkable courage, comparable to legendary heroines like Tomyris.
Historical conflicts, including Babur’s struggle with Shaybani Khan, are depicted in detail. Khanzada Begum’s marriage to Shaybani Khan under political pressure and her later life events are also described, based on historical sources such as “Baburnama” and “Tarikh-i Rashidi.”
Babur ultimately failed to restore his ancestral empire but succeeded in establishing a stable and prosperous state in India. His achievements have been widely admired, and scholars continue to study his legacy.
The novel also describes Babur’s final illness in detail, portraying symptoms such as weakness, insomnia, and physical decline, which reflect serious internal health issues.
Conclusion
At the end of the work, it is suggested that Babur did not die from poison but sacrificed himself by taking on his son Humayun’s illness. Unable to find a cure, physicians advised a great sacrifice, and Babur willingly gave his life.
The language of the novel is simple and accessible, making it understandable to all readers while leaving a deep emotional impact. It artistically reflects the political processes, social and economic conditions, and everyday life of the period.
Fictional elements, such as the relationship between Tohir and Robiya, enhance the artistic value of the work. Themes such as loyalty, betrayal, and family relationships evoke strong emotions in the reader.
In conclusion, “Starry Nights” and its continuation “The Pass of Generations” demonstrate Pirimqul Qodirov’s high literary skill and artistic mastery.
References
- Qodirov, P. (2016). Starry nights. Sharq Publishing House.
- Sultonov, O. (2002). Ilm sarchashmalari. Scientific-Methodological Journal of Urgench State University, (8).
- Fayziyev, T. (n.d.). Temuriy malikas.
- Ziyo.uz. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ziyouz.com
- Ziyo.uz electronic library. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://n.ziyouz.com
- Конец формы