The Story of Babur

• The memoirs of Babur (1483–1530), founder of the mighty Mughal Empire, are an absorbing account of conquest and wise rule.
• Anuradha’s lucid and lively retelling of the Baburnama will introduce this classic of world literature to a new generation of young readers.
• Published alongside an extensive programme promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
• Coincides with an exhibition on the Boburid dynasty of the Mughal Empire at the Smithsonian Institute.
• Available in English, Russian and Uzbek versions, as well as in Braille editions of all three languages.

The memoirs of Babur (1483–1530), descendant of Genghis Khan and Timur (Tamburlaine) and founder of the mighty Mughal Empire, enjoy worldwide renown as the first true autobiography in Islamic literature and an absorbing account of conquest and wise rule, composed by a man whose erudition and statecraft have elevated him to the status of a national hero in the countries of Central Asia.

Babur’s narrative describes not only the battles that propelled him to power, but the people, flora and fauna of the lands he ruled – taking us from Samarkand to Kabul to northern India. Anuradha’s lucid and lively retelling of the Baburnama will introduce this classic of world literature to a new generation of young readers, for whom the story of Babur will serve as both a thrilling adventure and an exemplary tale.

The Story of Babur: Prince, Emperor, Sage is published as the Republic of Uzbekistan undertakes an extensive programme of promoting and communicating its rich cultural heritage both within its own borders and to the rest of the world. The book’s publication will coincide with an exhibition on the Boburid dynasty of the Mughal Empire at the Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC.

This new children’s edition will be available in English, Russian and Uzbek versions, as well as in Braille editions of all three languages.

Anuradha writes books for children in English and Nepali. Her works have been translated into many other languages including Gujarati, Kannada, Telugu, Danish and several local languages in South Africa. She has also been published in Braille. She has won the Parijat Bal Sahitya Bishesh Puraska Award twice (2009, 2010). As well as writing stories for children, Anuradha is an editor and translator, and organises various story-writing workshops.

Jane Ray has illustrated over 60 children’s books, working with authors such as Michael Rosen, Carol Ann Duffy, Jeanette Winterson, Dianne Hofmeyr and Kevin Crossley-Holland. Her work is regularly exhibited at Primavera Gallery in Cambridge. Jane won the Smarties Award for books aimed at 6- to 8- year-olds in 1992 for The Story of Creation and has been shortlisted for the Mother Goose Award (1989), the Kate Greenaway Award (1991, 1992, 1995, 2001, 2005, 2008) and the Kurt Maschler Award (1995).