Before you read: Bhai sabse pehli baat, koi ye mat bolna ki spoilers de diye, kyuki tenth ki history me poora Babur versus Ibrahim Lodi Panipat war covered hai.

Babur's aided by an ancient Mad-Eye Moody, Rahul Dev with a blue lens.

Chekov's Gun/Sword - let the enemy think they have won, then strike.

Flashbacks and "present day" scenarios in Samarkand round off the first episode & get us through to Panipat, setting up the rest of the series.

This series has a Game of Thrones vibe, based on "real" history. Its got heads getting cut off and presented as threats, plus dismemberment and a public execution. As far as Indian sensibilities go, it's quite OTT.

Persian/Urdu - I don't know enough to differentiate. When you don't know something, it makes sense to own up and say, bruh, I dunno.

It is Naseeruddin Shah's son and India's resident stoner, Imaad, in one of the pivotal roles. He's the thief to whom Babur gives his tabeez earlier.

Lots of machinations happen, as can be expected from "historical" plots.

Most of the plots go as planned, but some result in unexpected but underwhelming changes in the narrative. Finally, Babur wins the Battle of Panipat and claims the throne of Hindustan, setting up Season 2 (?).

My final verdict: worth one watch if you historical dramas with good production values. The talented cast does a good job, especially with the sometimes complicated Urdu script. Shabana Azmi takes the cake.

Kunal Kapoor is making a biopic on my senior from Sanawar, Shiva Keshavan - the six-time Winter Olympian of India. He was awarded the Arjun Award in 2020. Wish I could play a part, no matter how small, in that movie. What a way that would be to kick off my career in glamor, lol.