Observations on the Scientific Legacy of Babur

Abstract

Babir, the founder of the Mughal Empire, is primarily known for his military conquests and political achievements, but his contributions to science, natural history, and geography also form a significant part of his legacy. His autobiography, Baburnama, provides detailed accounts of the flora, fauna, and geography of the regions he traveled through, blending personal reflections with empirical observations. Babur’s keen interest in botany, horticulture, and zoology is evident in his descriptions, which offer valuable insights into the biodiversity of Central Asia and India during the 16th century. Although not a scientist in the modern sense, Babur’s meticulous documentation influenced the development of Mughal garden designs and contributed to the empirical traditions of natural observation. This abstract highlights Babur’s indirect yet notable impact on scientific knowledge, particularly in the context of early modern Central and South Asia.