India, Sept. 14 -- Babur is often and incorrectly remembered as the "founder of the Mughal Empire," yet his own writings reveal a far more complex and contested legacy. Aabhas Maldahiyar's second book continues to unveil this legacy from where his earlier book, Babur: The Chessboard King, left off. Maldahiyar now turns to Babur's campaigns in Hindustan.

The Quest for Hindustan is both history and intervention, as it seeks to dismantle myths, expose distortions, and reground the debate in primary sources. This book draws a contrast between Babur the poet, exile, and dreamer of Farghana (seen in earlier life) versus Babur the Ghazi and conqueror who embraces jihad as a political and religious identity once he turns towards Hindustan.

Aabh...