Early Life of Babur – The Founder of the Mughal Empire

Zahir-ud-din Muhammad, also known by the names “Babur” or “Lion,” came into the world on February 14, 1483, as a member of the Timurid royal dynasty in Andijan, which is situated in present-day Uzbekistan.

  1. Babur’s father, Umar Sheikh Mirza, was the Emir of Ferghana, and his mother, Qutlaq Nigar Khanum, was the daughter of Moghuli King Yunus Khan.
  2. By the time Babur was born, the last Mongol ancestors had married into Turkic and Persian communities, blending into the local culture. Influenced significantly by Persia, they had embraced Islam, with the majority adopting the mystical Sufi-infused variant of Sunni Islam.
  3. In 1494, the Emir of Ferghana passed away unexpectedly, leading to 11-year-old Babur taking the throne. However, his rule faced threats, as several uncles and relatives conspired to overthrow him.
  4. Driven by the belief that a strong offense is the best defense, the young emir embarked on a quest for expansion. By 1497, his ambition had landed him at the gates of the storied Silk Road city of Samarkand, which he promptly conquered. However, his bold move left him exposed to internal threats. In his absence, his uncles and the lords of Andijan seized the opportunity to rise in revolt.

Babur – Founder of Mughal Empire ( History, Early Life, & Achievements)

Babur Biography – The Founder of the Mughal Empire: Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire and father of the Mughal emperor Humayun, was born on February 14, 1483. Recognized as one of the important Mughal rulers, he achieved remarkable victories for solidifying the dynasty’s presence in Delhi, surpassing the unsuccessful attempts of various sultanates to establish a stable rule. Under his leadership, the Mughal Empire exerted its dominance over India for almost three centuries.

Read below this article to learn about Babur Biography – The Founder of the Mughal Empire, his reign, his military conquests, and his battle with Rana Sangha.

Babur- Founder of Mughal Empire

Table of Content

  • Who were Mughals and Who was Babur?
  • Overview on Babur
  • Early Life of Babur – The Founder of the Mughal Empire
  • Babur and the Mughal Empire
  • Babur’s Military Conquests
  • Rana Sangha and Babur
  • Babur’s Succession and End of Life

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Who were Mughals and Who was Babur?

Mughals belonged to the powerful branch of Turks, who were called Chagatai, named after second son of Genghis Khan, very eminent Mongol leader. The foundation of Mughal empire in India was laid by Babur, who belonged to Chagatai Turk....

Overview on Babur

Aspect Details Name Zahir-ud-Din Muhammad Babur Birth February 14, 1483 Death December 26, 1530 Birthplace Andijan, Timurid Empire (present-day Uzbekistan) Reign April 30, 1526 – December 26, 1530 Title Founder of the Mughal Empire Dynasty Timurid Achievements – Established the Mughal Empire in the Indian subcontinent – Won the Battle of Panipat against Ibrahim Lodi in 1526 – Introduced Persian culture and art to India – Authored the Baburnama, an autobiography Legacy – Laid the foundation for the Mughal Empire in India – Introduced gunpowder and artillery in Indian warfare – Cultivated gardens and promoted arts and literature – Babur’s descendants ruled over India for generations Notable Battles – Battle of Panipat (1526) – Battle of Khanwa (1527) – Battle of Ghaghra (1529)...

Early Life of Babur – The Founder of the Mughal Empire

Zahir-ud-din Muhammad, also known by the names “Babur” or “Lion,” came into the world on February 14, 1483, as a member of the Timurid royal dynasty in Andijan, which is situated in present-day Uzbekistan....

Babur and the Mughal Empire

At a young age, barely in his teens, Babur ascended the throne of Fergana in 1494 CE. However, his reign was short-lived. In the face of competing claims to the throne, fueled by the belief in divine rights in Genghis Khan’s lineage, Babur was ousted by his cousins....

Babur’s Military Conquests

Some important military conquests of Babur are as follows:...

Rana Sangha and Babur

Rana Sangha of Mewar was one of the greatest Rajput ruler and gave one of the toughest resistance for Babur’ s extension of rule in India. On March 16, 1527, Rana Sangha along with other rulers like Marwar, Amber, Gwalior, Ajmer and Chanderi and also Sultan Mahmood Lodi, met in Kanhwa for decisive battle, aim was preventing for imposition of another foreign repression on Babur and then he took the title of “Ghazi”. On May 6, 1529, Babur met with allied Afghans of Bihar and Bengal and with this battle, Babur occupied important portion of northern India....

Babur’s Succession and End of Life

In the autumn of 1530, illness struck Babur. Sensing his imminent demise, his brother-in-law conspired with certain nobles within the Mughal court to usurp the throne. Their ambition aimed to bypass Humayun, Babur’s designated heir and eldest son, and seize power for themselves. Hearing of his father’s illness, Humayun raced to Agra to claim his rightful place on the throne. Sadly, soon after his arrival, Humayun himself fell gravely ill. After Babur’s death at the age of 47 on December 26, 1530, Humayun inherited a shaky empire besieged by internal and external adversaries....

Conclusion: Babur Biography – The Founder of the Mughal Empire

Despite his brief reign of four years, Babur left a lasting legacy in India. His profound love for nature sparked the creation of exquisite gardens, a tradition that became an integral element of Mughal architecture in the years to come. In 1529, Babur decisively defeated the combined forces of Afghans and Mahmud Lodi, effectively crippling resistance and securing the survival of the fledgling Mughal dynasty. His conquests significantly expanded the empire’s boundaries, encompassing a vast region stretching from Kabul in the west to Ghagra in the east and from the Himalayas in the north to Gwalior in the south....

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