From History to Fiction: An Analysis of the Transformation Process in the Novel Empire of the Moghul: Raiders From the North

The primary aim of this study is to examine the artistic transformation of historical figures, events, and geographical locations mentioned in Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur’s autobiographical work, “Baburnama”, within English literature, specifically in the historical-adventure novel “Empire of the Moghul: Raiders from the North” by Alex Rutherford, published in the early 21st century.
The study’s specific objectives include analyzing “Baburnama” as a primary source and exploring the modifications and creative strategies employed by A.Rutherford in his fictionalization of this historical material. Furthermore, the study seeks to identify the motivations behind the creation of events, characters, and settings in the novel and to conduct a comparative analysis of the artistic transformation of historical processes.
Comparative analysis has revealed that the depiction of Babur in English literature, his reception by English-speaking audiences, and the reinterpretation of historical events and characters in the novel necessitate detailed examination, representing a significant task in contemporary literary scholarship.
The research methodology is grounded in the scientific works and articles of Uzbek and English literary scholars pertinent to the topic. It also incorporates the author’s own comparativeanalytical conclusions derived from the texts under study.
According to research findings, A.Rutherford reimagines historical events in a distinctive form, crafting an adventurous novel. In this work, Babur is portrayed as a globe-trotting military commander. Although the novel is based on a historical source, it diverges from “Baburnama” in several respects. The narrow scope of plot, author’s stylistic choices, progression of events, and purpose of composition distinguish it as a separate literary piece.
The study concludes that “Empire of the Moghul: Raiders from the North” can offer English-speaking readers a general understanding of Babur, his era, his reign, and his military campaigns; however, it should be regarded not as a historical source, but as a literary interpretation.