The development of the Tuyuq genre in the works of Zahiruddin Mohammad Babur

Abstract

The Toyuq genre, one of the oldest poetic genres in Uzbek classical literature, has not been sufficiently studied in terms of its theoretical foundations and historical Evolution. Notably, the contributions of such literary devices as Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur, Alisher Navoiy, and Mavlana Lutfi to the evolution of this genre have been inadequately analyzed. This research focuses on identifying the distinctive features of the Toyuq genre and its stages of literary development. The paper examines the emergence of the Toyuq genre, its historical developmental phases, gradual evolution, and the roles played by predecessors of Babur, particularly poets and literary scholars before him, in advancing this genre. It also discusses in detail Babur's significant contributions to enriching the genre with theoretical insights and developing its poetic content. The primary objective of the study is to analyze Babur’s scientific, theoretical, and practical roles in the evolution of the Toyuq genre. Additionally, the research aims to explore the contributions of poets such as Alisher Navoiy and Mavlana Lutfi in advancing the genre and determining its place in Uzbek literature. The research primarily employs library-based investigative methods, utilizing comparative and analytical approaches. These methods are applied to study literary sources, theoretical perspectives, and comparative analyses of the poetry of the mentioned poets. The findings of the research suggest that Babur created new poetic forms within the Toyuq genre, expanded its thematic scope, enriched it with new subjects, and opened new paths for its development. In summary, while Navoiy was the first to articulate theoretical perspectives on Toyuq as a literary theorist, Babur, in his “Aruz Risolasi”, contributed significantly to enriching the genre with scientific and theoretical insights. Furthermore, Babur's creation of new forms and styles of Toyuq played a pivotal role in the continuous growth of Uzbek literature.