“BABUR-NAMA” AS AN IMPORTANT SOURCE FOR WRITERS OF THE EAST AND WEST

Abstract

This article presents a comparative literary analysis of the distinctive literary and historical features of Baburnama by Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur, as interpreted in both Eastern and Western contemporary literature. The analysis focuses on two novels inspired by Baburnama: Yulduzli tunlar (Starry Nights) by Pirimkul Kadirov, representing Uzbek literature, and Raiders from the North by Alex Rutherford, written in English. Drawing on these texts, the study examines and contrasts their plot structures, narrative techniques, character systems, and the authors’ respective approaches to the historical source, along with their aesthetic principles and methods of literary representation. Special attention is given to the adaptation of Baburnama’s event sequence and narrative dynamics within the compositional frameworks of both novels. The portrayal of central characters — particularly Babur and his close associates — is analyzed in terms of psychological depth, personal traits, and historical agency. These elements are assessed comparatively, highlighting differing aesthetic and ideological perspectives. Ultimately, the article evaluates Baburnama not only as a historical document but also as a literary intertext of global significance, arguing for its role as a cultural bridge between Eastern and Western literary traditions.