In a London suburb, four young men and women are preparing to die for their faith. In their final days they are visited by the ghost of Babur, first Emperor of the Mughal Dynasty. Babur's memoirs, The Baburnama, are considered to be the first autobiography in Islamic literature. Whilst pursuing the concept of Jihad to the limit, he was also a man of letters, a poet and a military strategist. Above all, he was a man of god and faith. As their mission draws closer, Babur urges his companions to escape the violent cycle of history and look to a more hopeful future, his argument revealing surprising truths about faith, politics and humanity.

Babur in London will open and tour the UK, Switzerland and India in 2012.

About Babur

Zahir ad-Din Muhammad, more commonly known by his nickname, Babur (February 14, 1483 - December 26, 1530) was a Muslim conqueror from Central Asia who, following a series of setbacks, finally succeeded in laying the basis for the Mughal dynasty of South Asia. He was a direct descendant of Timur through his father and a descendant also of Genghis Khan through his mother. Babur identified his lineage as Timurid and Chaghatay-Turkic, while his origin, milieu, training, and culture were steeped in Persian culture. He was largely responsible for the fostering of this culture by his descendants, and for the expansion of Persian cultural influence in the Indian subcontinent, with brilliant literary, artistic, and historiographical results.

Babur is popularly believed to have built Babri Mosque in Ayodhya. However, from the three inscriptions which once adorned the surface of the mosque it becomes apparent that the mosque was constructed during his reign on the orders of Mir Baqi, who was one of the generals of Babur's forces sent towards this region. In 2003, The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was asked to conduct a more in-depth study and an excavation to ascertain the type of structure that was beneath the rubble of Babari Masjid. The summary of the ASI report indicated definite proof of a temple under the mosque. It was destroyed in 1992 by a Hindu mob sparking off communal clashes around the country resulting in the killing of thousands of Muslims and Hindus.

(Excerpt from Wikipedia)

About The Opera Group

The Opera Group is one of Europe's most innovative opera producers, acclaimed for their vision of opera as a vibrant living art form and for work critically praised for both its vivid theatricality and its high musical standards. Recent awards include The Evening Standard Award for Best Musical for 'Street Scene'; RPS Music Award for Large Scale Composition for ' Into the Little Hill' by George Benjamin and British Composer Awards, Best Stage Work for 'Birds. Barks. Bones.'

For further information visit www.theoperagroup.co.uk

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