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When we think of the founders of great empires, we usually picture stern men on horses, clutching swords and staring intensely into the middle distance. We think of blood, conquest, and dusty maps. We don’t usually think of a teenage boy wandering through a marketplace, so paralyzed by a crush that he can’t even look his beloved in the eye.
But that’s exactly what Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur, the man who would go on to found the Mughal Empire, gave us in his remarkably candid memoirs, the Baburnama.
At Read with Pride, we’re obsessed with finding queer narratives in places history books often try to skip over. Whether it’s in modern MM romance books or 16th-century journals, the pulse of human desire remains the same. Today, we’re looking back at a time when an emperor-to-be wrote one of the most relatable "first love" stories in history.
The Boy from the Bazaar: A Royal Crush
In the year 1499, long before he conquered Northern India, Babur was a young ruler in Fergana (modern-day Uzbekistan/Afghanistan/Tajikistan border). He wasn't the "Great Mughal" yet; he was just a kid trying to keep his kingdom together. And like many of us at that age, he got hit with a lightning bolt of attraction.
In the Baburnama, Babur describes a boy named Baburi, whom he encountered in the camp bazaar. While many historical records of the time are dry accounts of tax rates and beheadings, Babur’s writing takes a turn into what we’d recognize today as a slow burn romance.
He writes: "In those days, I discovered in myself a strange inclination, nay, as the verse says, 'I was maddened and afflicted', for a boy named Baburi in the camp bazaar."
Babur wasn't just "noticing" him. He was losing his mind. He describes a level of shyness that anyone who has ever read a gay love story will recognize instantly. He couldn't speak to the boy. He couldn't even keep his head up when Baburi was nearby.
He continues: "Till then I had never felt an inclination for anyone… from modesty and bashfulness I used to pass by him… I could not look him full in the face, how then could I devise a meeting and converse?"
The Poetry of a Shattered Heart
What makes Babur’s account so authentic and moving is his vulnerability. He didn't use his power as a ruler to force a meeting. Instead, he behaved like a character straight out of a heartfelt gay fiction novel. He wandered through the streets barefoot, distracted and overwhelmed.
He even took to writing Persian couplets to process his feelings. One of his verses reads:
"May no person be as distracted and abashed as I; May no beloved be as unconcerned and careless as thou."
This is the ultimate MM historical romance trope: the pining lover and the oblivious (or seemingly oblivious) object of affection. For those of us looking for gay historical romance that feels real, Babur’s 500-year-old diary entries hit harder than most fictional accounts. He was a conqueror of nations, but he was completely defeated by a boy in a market.
Queer Identity in Afghanistan’s Past vs. Present
It’s impossible to talk about Babur’s history without acknowledging the region he hailed from and ruled. Today, the territory that formed the heart of the early Mughal world, modern-day Afghanistan, is one of the most dangerous places on earth for LGBTQ+ individuals.
However, Babur’s writings remind us that queer desire isn't a "Western import." It is woven into the very fabric of the region's history, literature, and art. In the Persianate culture that Babur inhabited, the "beloved" in poetry was almost always male. While the legalities were complex, the emotional and artistic expression of male-male love was a cornerstone of high culture.
At readwithpride.com, we believe that reclaiming these histories is an act of resistance. When we read gay literature from the past, we realize that we have always been here. We weren't just background characters; we were the ones writing the poems and building the empires.
Why Babur’s Story Matters for Readers Today
Why should someone who loves steamy MM romance or gay contemporary romance care about a dead emperor?
- Universal Experience: Babur’s "bashfulness" is a universal queer experience. That moment of realization, oh, this is different from how I feel about my other friends: is a rite of passage.
- Representation in History: It challenges the narrative that LGBTQ+ people are a modern "trend."
- The Roots of the Genre: The tradition of the "beloved" in Central Asian poetry heavily influences how we write about longing and desire in gay fiction today.
If you’re a fan of MM romance books that feature power dynamics, historical settings, and deep emotional pining, Babur’s life is the ultimate "based on a true story" inspiration.
Finding Your Own Epic Love Story
While Babur’s story in the Baburnama eventually moves on to battles and politics, that brief window into his heart remains one of the most famous passages in Eastern literature. It’s a reminder that even the most powerful people in the world are susceptible to the dizzying, terrifying, and beautiful experience of falling in love.
If you’re looking to get lost in a story that captures that same intensity: whether it’s a gay historical romance or a gay fantasy romance set in a world inspired by the Silk Road: we’ve got you covered.
At Read with Pride, we curate the best MM romance and top LGBTQ+ books to ensure you always have a story that speaks to your soul. Check out our latest releases and find your next obsession.
- Looking for a classic feel? Dive into gay classics.
- Want something modern? See our 2026 gay books list.
- Interested in intense action? Our gay thriller section is waiting.
Stay Connected with the Community
Queer history is being written every day. From the "unicorns" of Ukraine to the activists in the Balkans, and even in the hidden lives of those in Afghanistan today, the story of "Babur’s Heart" continues.
Don't miss out on our deep dives into queer history and the latest gay book recommendations. Follow us on our social channels to join the conversation:
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Read with pride, because our stories are the ones that change the world.
More from Read with Pride:
- Explore our full catalog of LGBTQ+ ebooks
- Discover new MM authors
- Check out 'The Swordsman's Compass' for epic historical vibes
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