15th century India. After overthrowing the Lodhi Kingdom, Zaheerudin Muhammad Babur laid down the foundations of the Mughal Empire. Babur was a very successful ruler. With his well maintained and advanced lashkar(army) Mughal rule started flourishing rapidly across India. In fact it was Babur who introduced gunpowder firearms and field artillery in the first Battle of Panipat against Ibrahim Lodhi in April 21,1526. Though Babur was a great warrior, it was not all of him. Babur was also a great father. Out of all his sons, his most beloved son was Humayun- the second Mughal Emperor. Once Humayun, when he was still young, fell seriously ill. Day by day his condition became worse. Highly qualified hakims(doctors) were brought from all over the empire. But nothing seemed to be working. Saddened and broken at his son’s suffering, Babur’s life became miserable. Then a saint came to Babur and said, “If you make a great sacrifice, if you sacrifice something most precious to you, only then will your son be cured.” “What could be a great sacrifice for his son’s life than his own life?” Conscience told Babur. After saying this, Babur folded his hands and circled his dying son’s bed three times, praying to Allah. He said, “Allah, everybody is telling me to offer You the most precious thing so that You will kindly save my son’s life. I feel that my life is the most precious thing I have to offer. Please take my life instead of my son’s. Let me die in his place, and let him live. This is my precious sacrifice.” To Babur’s surprise, after he had completed three rounds, his son stood up completely well. His condition improved but immediately Babur fell ill. Humayun wept with gratitude and love for his father. He said to Allah, “My father is going to die, but I shall eternally treasure my father’s fondness for me and my father’s implicit faith in Your Compassion.” After three months of suffering, on 26 December, 1530, Babur left this earthly life and departed for the unknown. Such was the love of a father for his son.

Mughal-Library