Which future Mughal emperor succeeded to the small kingdom of Fergana in 1494 when he was only about 12 years old?

Introduction / Context:
Before founding the Mughal empire in India, its first emperor had a challenging early career as a minor Central Asian ruler. He inherited a small principality and faced constant struggles against rival chiefs. Many exam questions highlight the fact that he came to the throne as a young teenager, which illustrates both his early exposure to politics and the instability of the region.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question refers to a small kingdom in Fergana (in Central Asia) in the year 1494.
• It states that the ruler who succeeded to this throne was only about 12 years old.
• The options list the Mughal emperors Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Babur and Shah Jahan.
• We must identify which of these emperors had this early Central Asian kingdom before coming to India.

Concept / Approach:
The correct answer is Babur, whose full name was Zahir ud din Muhammad Babur. He was a Timurid prince who inherited the tiny kingdom of Fergana at an early age after his father's death in 1494. He spent many years attempting to secure and expand his position in Central Asia, struggling for control of Samarkand, before finally turning his attention to India and winning the Battle of Panipat in 1526. The later emperors Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan were all born after Babur had already established his career.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Biographical sketches and the Baburnama agree that Babur inherited the throne of Fergana in his early teens, around 1494, and that he later became the founder of the Mughal empire in India. The timelines of Humayun (Babur's son), Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan all belong to later generations and do not involve ruling Fergana. This chronological evidence confirms that Babur is the only possible correct choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Humayun: Babur's son, who became emperor in India after Babur's death; he did not rule Fergana as a child in 1494.
• Akbar: Grandson of Babur, born in 1542, long after the events described in the question.
• Jahangir: Son of Akbar, ruling in the early seventeenth century, with no connection to Fergana.
• Shah Jahan: Grandson of Akbar and son of Jahangir, famous for building the Taj Mahal, also not a ruler of Fergana.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may not be sure about the early lives of the Mughal emperors and therefore guess among the more famous names like Akbar. However, the date 1494 is a clear hint that only Babur, who was born in the 1480s and founded the dynasty, can fit the description. Remembering that Babur started as a young Timurid prince of Fergana before conquering India helps anchor this fact in memory.

Final Answer:
Correct answer: Babur.