Babarnama is written in which language?
VerifiedAnswer: Chagatai language
Explanation:
The Babarnama is one of the most remarkable autobiographical works in world literature, written by Zahir-ud-Din Muhammad Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire in India. This fascinating memoir was penned in the Chagatai language, which was Babur's mother tongue and the literary language of his homeland.
Chagatai was a Turkic language that belonged to the Karluk branch of the Turkic language family. It was widely spoken in Central Asia during the medieval period, particularly in regions that are now part of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and parts of Afghanistan. The language was named after Chagatai Khan, one of the sons of Genghis Khan, who ruled the Chagatai Khanate in Central Asia.
Babur chose to write his memoirs in Chagatai because it was the natural choice for him as a native speaker. Born in Ferghana (in present-day Uzbekistan) in 1483, Babur grew up speaking Chagatai and was deeply rooted in the Turko-Mongol cultural traditions of Central Asia. The language allowed him to express his thoughts, emotions, and experiences with the nuance and authenticity that only one's mother tongue can provide.
The Babarnama covers the period from 1494 to 1529 and provides invaluable insights into Babur's life, his military campaigns, his observations about the lands he conquered, and his personal reflections. What makes this work truly special is its honest and intimate tone, which comes through beautifully in the original Chagatai text.
Later, during the reign of Emperor Akbar, Babur's grandson, the Babarnama was translated into Persian by Abd al-Rahim Khan-i-Khanan around 1590. This Persian translation became more widely known because Persian was the court language of the Mughal Empire. However, the original Chagatai version remains the most authentic representation of Babur's voice and thoughts.
The significance of the Babarnama being written in Chagatai extends beyond just linguistic choice. It represents the cultural bridge between Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent that Babur himself embodied. Through his use of Chagatai, Babur preserved not just his personal story but also the linguistic and cultural heritage of his Central Asian roots, making the Babarnama a treasure trove for historians studying medieval Central Asian and Indian history.
