Representation of Historical Figures and Events in Gulbadan Begim’s Humayunnama

This article aims to conduct an in-depth examination of the literary and historical context of the depiction of historical figures and events in Gulbadan Begim’s Humayunnama, with the objective of identifying and addressing existing research gaps in the fields of literary studies and historiography. Although previous studies have highlighted the artistic and political dimensions of historical representation in the text, aspects such as subjective perception, women’s perspectives, and the social impact of narrative sequencing have not been sufficiently explored. To address these gaps, the study employs a qualitative, survey-based methodology combined with content analysis to examine the portrayals of Babur, Humayun, and court life, including their political decisions as well as personal and social relationships, within the framework of literary perception and historical fact. The findings indicate that the Humayunnama presents historical events not only in a factual manner but also within broader social, political, and cultural contexts, enabling a deeper understanding of decision-making processes, psychological interconnections among individuals, and the dynamics of historical developments. Moreover, the work’s subjective approach, literary expression, and women’s perspectives enhance its practical value as a historical source. The scholarly and practical outcomes of this research demonstrate that the Humayunnama serves as a unique resource for historiography, cultural studies, and literary analysis, while also offering significant potential for future research on women’s roles, personal decision-making, narrative sequencing, and court culture.