Zaheeruddin Muhammad Babar, who laid the foundation of the Mughal Empire in India, died on 26 December 1530 in Agra. This date is recorded in history books, but there is disagreement among scholars regarding the reasons for his death and a touch of mystery is visible in folk tales. In some accounts, it is described that when his son Humayun became seriously ill, Babur prayed to Allah that his life should be taken in place of his son. After this, Humayun’s health reportedly started improving and Babar himself became unwell and eventually died. Later his body was taken from Agra to Kabul and buried.
This entire story makes Babar’s death a mystery and legend. But when historians look at these events on the basis of sources, the picture appears more complex and nuanced. To understand why Babur’s death is said to be mysterious, we have to look at three levels, one – evidence from contemporary and nearby sources, two – court and family legends and three – later folk memory and religious interpretations. On the basis of these dimensions, the story of Babar’s death and its mysterious context can be understood. Meaningful facts on this issue are also available in Baburnama, Pandit Nehru’s Discovery of India and historian Satish Chandra’s book.
journey from conqueror to ruler
Babar started the Mughal power in North India by defeating Ibrahim Lodi in the first battle of Panipat in the year 1526. After this, through the battles of Khanwa in 1527 and Ghaghra in 1529, he defeated the challenges of Rajputs and Afghan chieftains to a great extent. But this period of only four-five years of his reign was very busy and tiring.
Babar laid the foundation of the Mughal Sultanate in India.
Constant wars, long journeys, establishing a new capital, organizing the system of government, and also dealing with the climate and diseases of India. Contemporary accounts indicate that in Babur’s last years, his health was not as good as before. For a person coming from the mountainous and cold environment of Central Asia, the humidity, heat and malaria-borne diseases of the Ganga-Yamuna doab were naturally challenging. It is against this broader background that his health appears to have deteriorated rapidly around 1530.
Babar’s illness and last days
Most historians are of the opinion that Babar was suffering from a long illness, which gradually made him physically weak. What was this disease? It is difficult to form a definite opinion on malaria, TB, any kind of infection or any other disease related to age and fatigue, because at that time there were neither modern medical tests nor accurate classification of diseases. Nevertheless, some traditions related to his court and family indicate that Babur’s illness did not progress suddenly but gradually. It is said that his health deteriorated in the latter half of 1530, while at the same time his son Humayun also fell seriously ill. From here onwards the famous story comes forward, which gives a mysterious color to his death.
Babar’s son Humayun.
Sacrificed himself for Humayun
The most famous legend is that when Humayun was in a life-or-death situation, the scholars and Sufi elders of the court advised him to resort to prayers and vows. It is said that someone suggested that if a close loved one prayed to Allah with the intention of sacrificing his own life in exchange for the sick person’s life, it was possible that the sick person’s life could be saved. According to the story, Babar, alone or among a limited number of witnesses, prayed that Allah should spare his son’s life and accept his life in his place. After this, instead of offering any valuable gems or treasure, Babur reportedly said that he would sacrifice his own body and life in the name of Allah in exchange for Humayun’s safety.
The story progresses in such a way that after some time, Humayun’s health started improving, while Babar’s condition deteriorated. Ultimately, Babar died on 26 December 1530 and Humayun recovered. Thus, from a spiritual point of view, it was seen as an example of acceptance of a kind of sacrifice and Babar’s death was given the form of a miraculous, mysterious event.
Babar to save the life of his son Humayun No stone was left unturned in his prayers and wishes.
What is the truth?
From here the question arises whether Babar had really asked for the safety of his son in exchange for his life, or is this a later religious-emotional interpretation? Babar’s devotion, generosity and courage are definitely praised in Humayun’s autobiography and court writings, but the medical reasons are not described in much detail. Many events appear in a more embellished form by later Persian historians and Tajik writers. In such a situation, it is possible that the original incident of Babar being deeply emotional over his son’s illness and praying a lot is historical, but the metaphor of exchange of lives may have been created later in a more dramatic manner.
In the Islamic and broader South Asian religious traditions of the time, it was common to create miraculous stories about saints, kings and heroes. To enhance the spiritual stature of a ruler, it was shown that he was not a selfish person, but a charitable and faith-filled person, who could even sacrifice his life if necessary.
The story of Babar also fits on the lines of this moral ideal. Modern historians often consider this story symbolic. They believe that Babur was exhausted by old age and constant conflicts, was also physically weak, and may have been the victim of a serious infection. Regardless of Humayun’s illness, his death was almost certain to happen sooner or later. It was a coincidence that during the period of his son’s illness, his health deteriorated rapidly, due to which the religious language explained it as a sacrifice. For these reasons, this incident cannot be directly called a lie or truth, but is seen as a story standing at the confluence of history and legend.
Another dimension of mystery is the place of burial
Babur died in Agra, but his burial place was eventually built in Kabul. Initially he was buried temporarily in Agra, but as per his will or as per tradition, after some time his body was taken to Kabul and buried there in Bagh-e-Babar.
This change of location also created a degree of mystery around his death and funeral. There are limited clear and detailed contemporary records on how the body was preserved during the long journey of transportation, what the process of burial and reburial was like. As a result, questions also get added to the public imagination as to whether he is actually buried there?, did some other incident happen on the way?, etc. Although authentic historical evidence does not confirm such suspicions, the layer of mystery continued to grow thicker in the minds of the general public.
Historical reasons for considering Babar’s death as mysterious
There is not just a religious story but many historical and psychological factors behind Babar’s death being called mysterious. The documents of that period are not medical reports in today’s sense. Descriptions of illness, death and treatment were written in a very general and emotional style. This reduces the clarity of reason and increases the space for imagination. The fact that a person who emerged victorious from so many wars and persevered even in harsh conditions, suddenly passed away within a few years at a young age (about 47 years), seems dramatic in itself.
Many people find the death of such a personality to be ordinary and due to illness unsatisfactory, so they start looking for miraculous or divine reasons. Miraculous stories about great leaders and saints are prevalent in all traditions, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh. Babur became a major political and cultural personality in both the Muslim world and the Indian subcontinent. As a result, stories of miracles and spiritual events were easily woven around him. This story also seems meaningful from family and political point of view. The father saved his son and the empire by giving his life, and the same son later established the Mughal power. Such a creative story is extremely attractive for both history and literature.
A confluence of history, legend and mystery
Thus history comes to the conclusion that Babur died on 26 December 1530 in Agra due to a serious illness and was later buried in Kabul. From a medical point of view, this can be considered a natural, disease-related death. But also, associated with Humayun’s illness. The context of the sacrifice, Babur’s deep religious feelings, and the prevalence of this event in courtly and folklore, all combined to make his death mysterious.
The root cause of this mystery is not some secret conspiracy or hidden crime, but a mixture of history and memory, fact and faith, diseases and miracles. The mystery of Babur’s death persists because it is not just a historical event but has become a symbol of both the Mughal political tradition and the South Asian religious-cultural imagination.
Also read: How was Christmas celebrated during the Mughal era? Jahangir was interested in Jesus and Akbar built a prayer house.