Everyman's Library The Babur Nama

Excellent book, sadly my eyesight will struggle with the small print.

The introduction by William Dalrymple is excellent, and sets the tone for an excellent translation. There's a chronology, index of names, index of places, and then, the competent translation itself (which takes a bit more than half of the 900 page book). Excellent dust jacket. Though the times are mid early-mid fifteenth century, it feels contemporary. A would-be emperor's preoccupations are much the same as those of a modern leader. Babur's descriptions of his childhood town (Ferghana in modern Uzbekistan) bursts with pride. Babur died relatively young at 47 (Dalrymple, a supreme scholar in Indian history himself, tells us the legend of how he gave up his life to save that of his son Humayun), and the Mughal empire is his legacy. It is a lively autobiography of a powerful chieftain and an excellent writer.Beveridge's translation is based on the Hyderabad folio, which is based on the original Chagatai Turkish. The version put out by Modern Library is illustrated and perhaps more readable, but this version of 1921 is a masterly attempt. The book reads like the best travel writing; a few years back we were impressed with the Penguin edition of Marco Polo. This one is twice as long but very interesting if you decide to read it from cover to cover. Highly recommended for all lovers of Indian history.Spine #399. I think this is the latest production from Knopf/Everyman's Library.

It is an amazing memoir. Moreover the translation by Beveridge is beautiful. She has tried her best to do justice with the original content.The footnotes are well placed and have enormous related content which makes the whole reading experience a wonderful choice.The Translators notes and Annexures/Appendices are detailed and gives ample information in legible words.

Breathtaking, inspiring, thought-provoking. A life changing read.

Quality of the book is excellent. I've just started reading the book and I just can't stop. The font size is slightly small as compared to other books which might strain the eyes. But the quality of the pages is top class. A must read for all Mughal lovers. Go for it.