
Babur as Ruler of Farghana
In 1494, eleven-year-old Babur became the ruler of Fergana, presently Uzbekistan. After death of Umar Sheikh Mirza, his father. Tending pigeons in an ill-constructed he dovecote into the ravine below the palace as same were nothing unlawful in that days". During these days two of his uncles from the neighbouring kingdoms were hostile his father and another group of nobles. They wanted that his younger brother Jahangir to become new ruler of Farghana. He is likely be throne from became a ruler. His uncles were relentless for their tries to dislodge himself. His position from many of his other territorial possessions to come. Babur was able to secure his throne by only by the of help of his maternal grandmother "Aisan Daulat Begum". Although there was also some luck involved to become ruler of Farghana.
Most territories around his kingdom were ruled by his near relatives. They were descendants of either Timur or Genghis Khan and also constantly in conflict. At that time rival princes were fighting over the city of Samarkand. Then which was ruled by his paternal cousin. Babur had a great ambition to capture Samarkand city in particular. In 1497 he besieged Samarkand for seven months before eventually gaining its control. He was fifteen years old and the same campaign was a huge achievement for him. Babur was able to hold Samarkand city despite of desertions in his army. But he later fell seriously ill. Meanwhile a rebellion back home, approximately 350 kilometres (220 miles) away. Amongst nobles who were favoureing his brother robbed him of Fergana. During his marching to recover it he lost Samarkand to a rival prince. Leaving him with neither. He had held Samarkand for 100 days and considered this defeat as his biggest loss. Obsessing over it even later in his life during his conquests in India.
For three years Babur concentrated on building a strong army for his future concourses. He recruited widely particuulary amongst the Tajiks of Badakhshan. In 1500–1501 he again laid siege for Samarkand, indeed he took the city briefly. But he was in turn besieged by his most formidable rival Muhammad Shaybani Khan, the Uzbeks. Babar was compelled to married sister Khanzada with Shaybani for settlement of peace. Babur and his troops allowed to depart Samarkand city safe and sound. Samarkand City was thus lost again. He then tried to reclaim Fergana but again lost the battle also. He escaping with a small band of followers. He wandered in mountains of central Asia and took refuge with mountain tribes. In1502, he had resigned all hopes of recovering Fergana. He then left with nothing and was forced to try his luck.
He finally went to Tashkent which was thrn ruled by his maternal uncle. But he also not welcomed there. Later Babur said in Babur Nama " I have faced much poverty and humiliation during my stay in Tashkent". No country or hope of one. Thus After the ten years after became ruler of Fergana "Babur suffered many short-lived victories in that times". Now he was without shelter, in exile and aided by friends and peasants.
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