Empire Podcast: Episode 205. Babur: The Taking of Delhi (Ep 2)
Hosts: William Duranpool & Anita Anand
Release Date: November 21, 2024
Introduction
In Episode 205 of Empire, hosts William Duranpool and Anita Anand delve into the life and legacy of Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire in India. This episode, titled "Babur: The Taking of Delhi," explores Babur's tumultuous rise, his literary prowess, strategic alliances, and the pivotal Battle of Panipat that marked the establishment of Mughal dominance in the Indian subcontinent.
Babur’s Early Life and Struggles
William begins by reminiscing about his personal connection to Babur, especially his admiration for Babur's diaristic skills. He shares his experience editing the Babur Nama, highlighting his obsession with Babur as not just a conqueror but a profound writer.
“[...] Babur is the last Timurid ruler standing. And in 1508, in recognition of this, he actually formally decides to take on Timur's legacy and adopt the Persian title Padshah. He calls himself Emperor and he realizes that his is the last stand of his dynasty and he's got to have something.”
— William Duranpool [05:05]
Anita adds depth to Babur's character by contrasting his self-confidence with his encounters in Herat, paralleling it with her own feelings of being gauche in unfamiliar settings.
“But Barber also...it's actually delightful about how he sort of describes his own awkwardness. That is lovely.”
— William Duranpool [07:50]
Babur’s Cultural Awakening in Herat
A significant portion of the discussion centers around Babur's time in Herat, where he immerses himself in the arts and文化 refinement. William reads excerpts from the Babur Nama that illustrate Babur's awkward yet enthusiastic integration into the sophisticated Timurid court.
“[...] the court of my cousin Hussein Bukhara and the brilliant cultural world he created around him was a wonderful age in it. Khorasan and Herat was full of learned and matchless men.”
— William Duranpool [11:12]
Anita highlights Babur's transformation as he engages with poetry and the arts, underscoring his literary evolution alongside his martial pursuits.
“And his Herat is the awakening of the poet in him as well. And his...he's becoming playful in language.”
— William Duranpool [12:06]
Strategic Alliances and the Shift to Hindustan
The podcast delves into Babur's strategic alliance with Shah Ismail Safavi, the founder of the Safavid dynasty, marking a controversial shift from Sunni to Shia alliances. William explains the historical context of Sunni-Shia tensions and how Babur's move was both a political necessity and a controversial decision within the Islamic world.
“By making this alliance with the new kids on the block, the Shias of Persia, that this is his one trump card left to get back at Shaibani Khan and the Uzbeks.”
— William Duranpool [19:48]
Anita and William discuss the diplomatic exchanges between Babur and Shah Ismail, drawing parallels to similar historical instances like those depicted in Shakespeare’s Henry V.
“It is supposed to be the Dauphin sends Henry, the young Henry V, a gift...it is filled with tennis balls... Henry V's answer is, the reply I will send will not be tennis balls, it will be cannonballs.”
— William Duranpool [22:03]
The Battle of Panipat: Tactics and Triumph
A pivotal moment in the episode is the recounting of the Battle of Panipat (1526). Babur employs innovative military tactics, leveraging artillery and firearms, which were relatively new to the Indian subcontinent at the time. William elaborates on Babur's strategic use of fireworks to scare elephants, a crucial element given the elephant corps' significance in Indian warfare.
“Elephants are scared stiff of fireworks. So he brings a whole load of just celebratory fireworks... the elephants will not only not move forward, but they will scare, retreat fast and trample the Lodi's troops.”
— William Duranpool [33:40]
The hosts highlight Babur's strategic genius in employing a barricade of farm carts and state-of-the-art artillery to decimate Ibrahim Lodi's forces. This decisive victory is attributed to Babur's learning from past encounters and his ability to adapt to new warfare technologies.
“He unleashes his firepower the artillery wipes out the cream of Ibrahim's cavalry... by midday 20,000 of the Lodi's troops were dead, including Sultan Ibrahim.”
— William Duranpool [35:06]
Moral Leadership and Legacy
Post-victory, Babur's approach to conquest showcases his benevolent leadership. Rather than succumbing to the typical plunder and massacre, Babur opts to respect Delhi's sanctity, visiting Sufi shrines and ensuring a peaceful transition of power.
“Because he recognizes it as a holy city and a city of great civilization... he orders that there should be no slaughter, no massacres and no plundering.”
— William Duranpool [39:50]
Anita interjects with historical tidbits about landmark sites like the Lodi Gardens, connecting Babur's impact to present-day landmarks.
“The Lodi gardens has been said it was a graveyard. [...] It is my favorite walk in Delhi.”
— William Duranpool [40:05]
Babur’s Vision for Hindustan
Following his triumph in Panipat, Babur sets his sights on Hindustan (Northern India), inspired by tales of its unsurpassed wealth and civilization. William discusses Babur's inspiration drawn from earlier descriptions by Timurids and the allure of cities like Vijayanagara.
“His destiny lies to the south. And he says, ever since we came to Kabul, it had been in my mind to move on Hindustan... another world came into view.”
— William Duranpool [24:08]
The hosts touch upon Babur's strategic preparations, including fortified artillery and the psychological warfare tactic of using fireworks to neutralize opposing war elephants.
“He mounts the artilleryman he's brought with him, his big trump card is this guy, Ustad Ali... unleashes his firepower...”
— William Duranpool [35:06]
Concluding Thoughts
The episode wraps up with reflections on Babur's dual legacy as both a conqueror and a cultural patron. His establishment of the Mughal Empire not only reshaped the political landscape of India but also fostered a rich cultural and literary heritage that endured for centuries.
“He writes couplets of poetry and then rewrites them... he becomes playful in language.”
— William Duranpool [12:06]
William emphasizes the enduring impact of Babur's reign, linking it to contemporary India’s architectural marvels and cultural syncretism.
“We have him to thank for the Lodi Gardens still existing then... a lovely little oasis in Delhi.”
— William Duranpool [39:50]
Notable Quotes
- William Duranpool [05:05]: “Babur is the last Timurid ruler standing. And in 1508, in recognition of this, he actually formally decides to take on Timur's legacy and adopt the Persian title Padshah.”
- William Duranpool [11:12]: “the court of my cousin Hussein Bukhara and the brilliant cultural world he created around him was a wonderful age in it.”
- William Duranpool [19:48]: “By making this alliance with the new kids on the block, the Shias of Persia, that this is his one trump card left to get back at Shaibani Khan and the Uzbeks.”
- William Duranpool [35:06]: “He unleashes his firepower the artillery wipes out the cream of Ibrahim's cavalry.”
- William Duranpool [39:50]: “He writes...he becomes playful in language.”
Conclusion
Episode 205 of Empire offers an insightful exploration of Babur's legacy, blending historical analysis with personal anecdotes from the hosts. Through engaging narratives and critical discussions, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of how Babur's strategic acumen and cultural patronage laid the foundation for one of history's most influential empires.
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