"In the month of Ramadan of the year 899 [June 1494] and in the twelfth year of my age, I became ruler in the country of Ferghana." Thus begins the remarkable autobiography of Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur, whose journey of conquest through Afghanistan and Hindustan—the northern part of the Indian Subcontinent—laid the foundation of the Mughal Empire.

In a modern day encore of the Mughal artistic synthesis, five cosmopolitan-minded musicians from Central Asia, Afghanistan, Northern India, were brought together by the Aga Khan Music Initiative with the aim of merging their musical instruments and traditions to create new sounds. 9 Tracks, 63 Minutes, 44-page Booklet; DVD contains series introduction, 22-minute film, interactive glossary, and map.

The Music of Central Asia Series is a co-production of the Aga Khan Music Initiative and Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. The aim of the series is to present leading exponents of Central Asia's rich and diverse musical heritage to listeners outside the region.

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Watch a 4 minute excerpt from the documentary film included in DVD
Watch an overview of the Music of Central Asia and Aga Khan Music Initiative