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.
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).
It was early autumn. The world was tinged with gold, and life had once again breathed into the school hallways. The first lesson was Physics. A new teacher, a man with curly hair dressed in a sharp black suit, limped into the classroom. He sat at his desk, his presence unfamiliar to the students. As he moved to the blackboard, they noticed something striking: he was not only lame but also missing his right arm. Using a prosthetic device to hold the chalk, he wrote the date. The students, however, remained indifferent, meeting his attempts at conversation with a cold, mocking silence.
Weeks passed, but the students’ cruelty did not waver. To them, the Physics lesson was merely an opportunity for mischief, and the teacher was nothing more than a target for ridicule, whispered about as “the cripple.” One day, pushed to his limit by a student named Akmal who was throwing paper planes, the teacher intervened. Akmal snapped back with arrogance:
— Give me back my plane! To us, you are nothing but “the cripple”! The sting of the words cut deep, but before the conflict could escalate, the school principal entered. Sensing the gravity of the situation, he gently asked the teacher, Mr. Rahmatov, to step out for a moment. Turning to the silent class, the principal asked: — Do you have any idea who this man is? Do you know why he limps?
He then revealed a harrowing truth. Mr. Rahmatov’s youth was forged in the bitter aftermath of the war. During a devastatingly cold winter, he had trekked into a frozen forest to gather firewood for his freezing mother. In that struggle against the elements, his limbs succumbed to severe frostbite. He saved his mother from the cold but paid for it with his own arm and leg.
A heavy silence fell over the room. Guilt washed over the students like a tide. When the teacher finally limped back into the classroom, the students didn’t mock him. Instead, they rushed toward him, embracing him with tears in their eyes and pleading for forgiveness. — I forgave you long ago, — the teacher replied softly, his own eyes moistening.
From that day forward, everything changed. Physics became the most cherished subject, and Mr. Rahmatov became their most beloved mentor—a man honored not for his disability, but for the depth of his soul and the magnitude of his sacrifice.
Sarvinoz Bakhtiyorova (born in 2011) is considered one of the talented and creative young students of the Ogahiy Creative School. From an early age, she developed a love for literature and has been actively creating works in both prose and poetry. Her interest in poetry emerged early in her life, and her talent began to show during her school years. In particular, while studying in the 5th grade, her first poem titled “Navruz” was published in a collective anthology called “Yangiariq Gulshani,” marking an important step in her creative journey.
Currently, she is studying at the Ogahiy Creative School, where she continues to work on herself consistently, deeply learning the art and intricacies of literature and creative writing. Through her dedication and creative efforts, she is developing into a promising young talent who is expected to achieve even greater success in the future.
Author:Asadullo Habibullayev Student of Kattakurgan State Pedagogical Institute
From the Author: Through this story, I wanted to show not Salohiddin’s disability, but the weakness of his friends. Never forget that not every blow comes from an enemy — sometimes it comes from those we call friends.
BETRAYAL
Betrayal never comes from the enemy’s side.
There were ten minutes left until the end of the lesson. For some reason, the students were restless, all waiting impatiently for the bell to ring.
“Salohiddin, why are you moving so much? Is everything okay?” “Sabina, be quiet! Whether I talk to you or not, you never understand decency.” “Sit quietly, the teacher is speaking. Why don’t you understand?” “Fine, whatever. Not everyone cares about you the way I do…”
“Sabina, let’s talk during the break.” “Sanobar, the teacher will scold us. Everyone is moving around. Aren’t you going to stand up?” “Alright, I won’t say anything.”
The bell rang. Sanjar, Abbos, and Ravshan ran outside, and Salohiddin followed them. As usual, Sabina curiously went after them.
“Boys, stop! We still have one more lesson. Don’t skip it! We have Uzbek language class. Sharofiddinova will report you to the principal. Salohiddin, stop!” Sabina called out.
But the boys quickly went to the computer room and started playing games. The four of them were always together, inseparable day and night. After school, they even stayed overnight at each other’s houses. They never stopped skipping lessons to go to the computer room. What united them was not only school, but also that computer room.
Doston aka knew about them and every day at 12:30 he would leave four computers free for them. They would always sit in their usual places.
Life continued this way. They were now in the eighth grade — the most mischievous and restless time of their lives. Perhaps they needed understanding and proper guidance. They came to school together. They were neighbors, and their parents knew each other well, which made them even closer.
One Monday, after three lessons, before the fourth began, Sanjar, Abbos, Ravshan, and Salohiddin quietly slipped away. Sabina tried to stop them but couldn’t. She then called their homeroom teacher, Gulsanam opa, and told her what had happened and where the computer room was.
Gulsanam teacher quickly found them, scolded them in front of everyone, called their parents, and made them write letters of explanation. The boys promised it would not happen again. The teacher did not forgive them easily. They returned home with their parents and received even more scolding there. Eventually, the issue seemed to settle.
Time passed. It was March. During a break, the four boys once again went to the computer room. Doston aka welcomed them.
But strangely, their usual seats were occupied. Jahongir and Otabek were sitting there, and Faridbek was in Salohiddin’s place.
“Get up, Farid! I said get up! Why are you sitting in my seat?” “Why are you acting superior? Why are you shouting? Stop it!”
Everyone laughed. Salohiddin became furious and started insulting Faridbek with harsh words. A fight broke out for no real reason.
Doston aka said, “Go on, fight! Let’s see who is stronger, who will win!” The other boys joined in, encouraging them.
Unable to endure the humiliation, Salohiddin attacked Faridbek. Faridbek raised his hand in response. Doston aka stopped them and said, “Don’t fight here. The computers might break. Go outside and fight there.”
They went outside. The ground was hard, covered with stone and cement. The boys grabbed each other. Faridbek fell to the ground, and then his friends joined in. Instead of helping Salohiddin, Sanjar, Abbos, and Ravshan turned against him and began beating him together.
Salohiddin fell headfirst onto the cement ground. Instead of helping, Doston aka sat there recording the fight on his phone. The poor boy’s mouth and nose were bleeding. Eventually, the boys ran away in all directions.
Sadly, Salohiddin lay there unconscious for quite some time.
Later, two of his classmates, Hasan and Sardor, happened to pass by. Seeing him, they rushed to help. They lifted him, brought him to some water, washed his face and hands, and carried him back to school. Even there, he sat for a long time, unable to walk properly or even speak.
Instead of calling an ambulance immediately, the teachers were busy scolding him. They called his parents, who also shouted at him in anger.
Only after he had been lying there in a helpless state for a long time did they finally call an ambulance. He was taken to the hospital and stayed there for a few days.
Tragically, one of his arms and one of his legs no longer functioned, and his mouth became twisted. His parents took him to many doctors, but nothing helped.
He stopped talking even to his closest friends. His neighbors avoided looking at his face.
This young boy, at the most vibrant time of his life, became disabled…
Betrayal does not always come from enemies. Sometimes, it comes from friends.
Like a lost camel, sad and weary, I don’t understand how time is passing. A mysterious cry roars within my heart— The holy Ramadan is slipping away.
So many sins, countless and easy. Saying “forgive me, God” is so simple. Some are careless, some are joyful, The holy Ramadan is slipping away.
One says, “Faith lives in my heart,” Another walks the path of injustice. Have we still not understood even now? The holy Ramadan is slipping away.
Maqsudova Anora Alisherovna was born on November 2, 2010, in the village of Gazovot, Kushkupir district, Khorezm region. In 2017, she was admitted to School No. 30 in Kushkupir district.
In 2022, while studying in the 5th grade, her first poems were published in a collective anthology titled “The Praise of the Motherland in Hearts.” In 2023, during the 6th grade, her first personal poetry collection titled “A Little Heart’s Gift” was published. Later that same year, several of her poems were also included in the anthology “Hearts Passionate About Creativity.”
In 2023, she won honorable first places at both the district and regional stages of the “Creative Children” competition. That same year, with high results, she was admitted to the “Ogahiy” Creative School in Khiva city as a 7th-grade student.
In November 2023, several more of her poems were published in the collective anthology “Hearts Passionate About Creativity.”
In 2025, while in the 8th grade, her second personal poetry collection titled “Awakened Poems” was published. In addition, a number of her poems were also published in literary collections in Russia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey.
Currently, Anora is studying in the 9th grade at the Ogahiy Creative School.
