Gardens as ecosystems in the Baburnama: An ecolinguistic and ecological analysis of environmental concerns

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Author

Faculty of Science and Letters, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey

Abstract
The Baburnama, the memoirs of Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur (1483–1530), provides a comprehensive account of the ecological landscapes of 15th- and 16th-century Central Asia, Afghanistan, and India. The present article examines the environmental and natural concerns articulated in the Baburnama through an ecolinguistic lens, with a particular focus on gardens as ecosystems. The study employs an analytical approach, examining lexical units associated with flora, fauna, water systems, and urban ecology. This analysis underscores Babur's discerning understanding of biodiversity, plant-water interactions, and the pivotal function of gardens in shaping urban landscapes. When situated within the context of pre-modern environmental thought, the article posits that the Baburnama functions as a proto-environmental text to document ecological richness and foreshadow contemporary concerns regarding sustainability and urban ecology. The study employs an ecosystem perspective, conceptualising gardens as dynamic systems facilitating biodiversity and mediating human-nature interactions. This analysis underscores the Baburnama's relevance for contemporary environmental humanities and urban ecology scholarship.

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Volume 17, Issue 4 - Serial Number 68
Ecological Civilization
Autumn 2025
Pages 139-155

  • Receive Date 05 June 2025
  • Accept Date 01 September 2025