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Introduction
Sabads uttered in connection with Babur’s attack (Babarvani)
The four Sabads revealed by Guru Nanak Sahib regarding Babur’s attack are generally known as ‘Babarvani,’ but this title has not been used in the Guru Granth Sahib. ‘Babarvani’ literally means ‘sway of Babur,’ which makes it an unsuitable title for these Sabads. With the passage of time, the tradition of printing these Sabads under the title ‘Babarvani’ may start just like the practice of printing small collections of Sabads (pothi or gutka) under titles like Shabad Hazare, Dukh Bhanjani Sahib, Sankat-Mochan, etc. Therefore, it is more appropriate to title these Sabads as ‘Sabads regarding Babur’s attack.

The foundation of the Mughal empire in Hindustan was laid by Zahir-ud-din-Muhammad Babur
Babur was born on February 14, 1483 CE in the Fergana kingdom of Central Asia. His mother’s name was Kutlag-Nigar Khanum and his father’s name was Mirza Omar Sheikh. From the paternal side, he belonged to the fifth generation of emperor Timur and from the maternal side, he was the fourteenth descendant of Genghis Khan. -R.C. Majumdar, H.C. Raichoudhury, K.K. Dutt, Bharat Da Brihat Itihas (Medieval India), Principal Satbir Singh (trans.), page 146-147. He is usually addressed as ‘Mir Babur’ in the Janamsakhis. Even Guru Nanak Sahib has used the word Mir for Babur: koṭī hū pīr varaji rahāe jā mīru suṇiā dhāiā. -Guru Granth Sahib 417.
(1483-1530 CE) in 1526 CE. At that time, Ibrahim Lodhi (reign 1517-1526 CE) was ruling from his throne in Delhi. To put an end to his power, Babur launched many attacks on Hindustan.
How many times did Babur invade Hindustan? There is a difference of opinion on this. Generally, five or six invasions are claimed in books. He invaded Hindustan (the Persian name for northern India, a region south of river Indus or Sindhu) twice in 1505 CE and 1507 CE, though these are not considered invasions rather campaigns to punish the Afghan tribes for evading taxes. During this time, he kept returning from near the Indus River. He occupied Bajor and Bhera (now in Pakistan) in 1519 CE. He captured Sialkot and Saidpur (now in Pakistan) in 1519-20 CE and returned back from here. In 1524 CE, he invaded again and captured Lahore (now in Pakistan). He launched his final attack from 1525-26 CE and having won the battle of Panipat (now in India), laid the foundation of the Mughal Empire. -Harish Chander Verma (editor) Medieval India, part-1 (740-1540), page 250-253.
The Panjab (divided between India and Pakistan since 1947 CE) was used as a battlefield in these attacks. Under the command of Babur, his troops plundered and destroyed several towns of Panjab. Babur has also mentioned this in his memoir ‘Baburnama.’

Guru Nanak Sahib (1469-1539 CE) witnessed the destruction caused by Babur with his own eyes and vividly depicted the scenes of destruction in his Bani. These revolutionary Sabads revealed by the Guru that depict pain and empathy are known as ‘Babarvani’ in Sikh tradition. Based on the line ‘bābarvāṇī phiri gayī’ appearing in the Sabad ‘jin siri sohani paṭīā...,’ these Sabads seem to have become popularly known as ‘Babarvani.’ The following four Sabads come under ‘Babarvani:’
1. khurāsān khasmānā kīā hindustānu ḍarāiā. -Guru Granth Sahib 360.
2. jin siri sohani paṭīā māṁgī pāi sandhūr. -Guru Granth Sahib 417.
3. kahā su khel tabelā ghoṛe kahā bherī sahnāī. -Guru Granth Sahib 417-18.
4. jaisī mai āvai khasam kī bāṇī taisaṛā karī giān ve lālo. -Guru Granth Sahib 722-23.