Babur : starry nights

Babur Starry Nights is a gripping true story that follows the fate of poet-prince Babur (1483-1530) from Fergana in modern-day Uzbekistan. Born into the royal Timurid dynasty, our hero was just twelve years old when he found himself thrust upon the throne after the sudden death of his father. The political intrigues that eventually drove him from his homeland began at once, even before the young prince could reach his capital city. But Babur had a dream: to establish a kingdom where arts and science flourish. Patron of the arts as well as fierce warrior, Babur left his ancestral lands and, with handful of brave men, crossed the Hindu Kush, first settling in Kabul, then in modern-day India. It was here, in India, that Babur finally realised his dream. Inviting the best architects and craftsmen from his homeland to work alongside local masters, Babur laid the foundation for a great empire, the Mughal Dynasty, renowned for its palaces, gardens and architectural monuments such as the famous Taj Mahal.

Told in a gripping, engaging style, Babur: Starry Nights is based on Prince Babur's own writings; throughout his life, this great statesman kept a fascinating and detailed journal which has survived intact to this day, the Baburnama. Pirimqul Qodirov bases his epic novel on this diary, in which the ruler candidly records his failures as well as his victories, and even his personal doubts and fears. The novel also contains several stanzas of Babur's own poetry.

Historically accurate and fast-paced, Pirimqul Qodirov's Babur: Starry Nights gives the reader an eye-witness account of major historical events that unfolded on the territory of Central Asia and India in C15-C16.

Sensitively translated by Carol Ermakova and beautifully illustrated with specially-commissioned drawings by Bobur Ismailov, this new English edition is set to become a classic.