The advance of Babur towards India was a significant historical event that marked the foundation of the Mughal Empire. Babur’s journey from a ruler of a small kingdom in Central Asia to the conqueror of northern India involved several key events, military campaigns, and strategic decisions. His invasion of India culminated in the establishment of a powerful empire that would shape the subcontinent for centuries.
1. Early Life and Aspirations of Babur
Babur, born in 1483, was the ruler of a small kingdom in Fergana (modern Uzbekistan). As a descendant of the conquerors Timur (on his father’s side) and Genghis Khan (on his mother’s side), Babur was deeply influenced by their legacy of conquest and sought to expand his own territories. However, his early attempts to consolidate power in Central Asia were met with failure due to constant struggles with Uzbek rulers, particularly Shaibani Khan.
After losing his ancestral lands in Central Asia, Babur turned his attention southwards towards India, a land of immense wealth but politically fragmented, providing the perfect opportunity for conquest.
2. Initial Attempts to Invade India
Babur’s interest in India began with the knowledge of the weakness of the Delhi Sultanate and the political instability in the region. In the early 16th century, the Delhi Sultanate, under the rule of Ibrahim Lodi, was facing internal rebellions from nobles and governors. This presented a tempting opportunity for Babur, who had ambitions of establishing himself as a powerful ruler.
Babur’s early incursions into India were limited to the regions around the Punjab. He carried out five raids between 1519 and 1524, primarily aimed at assessing the situation and gaining a foothold in the region. These raids targeted frontier towns and regions like Bhera, Sialkot, and Lahore.
However, these early forays did not lead to immediate large-scale conquest, as Babur had to frequently return to Central Asia to deal with political and military issues.
3. Invitation from Indian Nobles
A turning point in Babur’s advance towards India was the invitation from Daulat Khan Lodi, the governor of Punjab, and Rana Sanga of Mewar, both of whom were discontented with Ibrahim Lodi’s rule. Daulat Khan Lodi was a powerful noble who had fallen out of favor with the Delhi Sultan and sought Babur’s help to overthrow him. Similarly, Rana Sanga, a Rajput ruler, was also opposed to Ibrahim Lodi and hoped to use Babur’s military prowess to weaken the Sultanate.
This invitation provided Babur with the pretext he needed to launch a full-scale invasion of northern India. With the backing of these disaffected nobles, Babur could now march deeper into Indian territory.
4. The Battle of Panipat (1526)
The most significant event in Babur’s advance towards India was the First Battle of Panipat, fought on April 21, 1526. This battle would decisively establish Babur as the ruler of northern India.
A. Preparation for the Battle
Babur entered India with a well-trained army equipped with artillery, a key factor that would distinguish him from the armies of the Indian rulers. Ibrahim Lodi, on the other hand, commanded a much larger force, estimated at around 100,000 soldiers and 1,000 war elephants. Despite the size of his army, Lodi’s forces were poorly organized, and his leadership was unpopular among his nobles.
B. Tactics and Technology
Babur employed innovative tactics in the battle, especially the Tulughma strategy, which involved dividing his army into different flanks and using mobility to encircle and outmaneuver the enemy. He also used field artillery effectively, which was relatively new to Indian warfare at the time.
Babur’s cannons, commanded by Ustad Ali and Mustafa, played a crucial role in the battle. The noise and firepower of the cannons caused panic among Ibrahim Lodi’s elephants, which turned and trampled their own soldiers.
C. Outcome of the Battle
The battle ended with the defeat and death of Ibrahim Lodi, marking the fall of the Delhi Sultanate. Babur captured Delhi and Agra, establishing himself as the ruler of northern India. This victory was the foundation of the Mughal Empire.
5. Challenges after Panipat
Although the Battle of Panipat was a major victory, Babur’s hold on India was far from secure. Several powerful Indian rulers remained in opposition to him, most notably the Rajputs under the leadership of Rana Sanga of Mewar.
A. The Battle of Khanwa (1527)
The next significant event in Babur’s advance was the Battle of Khanwa, fought on March 16, 1527, against the combined forces of Rana Sanga. Rana Sanga had initially supported Babur’s invasion against Ibrahim Lodi but later saw Babur as a foreign invader who threatened Rajput dominance in India.
- The Battle of Khanwa was as fierce as the Battle of Panipat. Babur faced a strong coalition of Rajput forces, but his artillery and disciplined troops again proved decisive. Babur declared a Jihad (holy war) against the Rajputs to motivate his soldiers and used the defensive Ottoman tactics of entrenched positions with artillery.
- Outcome: Rana Sanga was defeated, and the Rajput power in northern India was crushed. This victory solidified Babur’s control over a large part of northern India.
6. Further Conquests: Battle of Ghaghra (1529)
After his victory at Khanwa, Babur turned his attention to the eastern part of his empire, where the Afghans under Mahmud Lodi, a brother of Ibrahim Lodi, were trying to regroup and resist Babur’s rule. The Battle of Ghaghra, fought in 1529, saw Babur defeat the Afghan forces, further consolidating his power over Bihar and Bengal.
7. Babur’s Legacy in India
By the time of his death in 1530, Babur had laid the foundation of the Mughal Empire in northern India. Though his reign in India lasted only four years, his military successes and strategic alliances were crucial in establishing a long-lasting empire.
A. Cultural Impact
Babur introduced Persian culture, language, and administrative practices into India, which would later be expanded by his successors. His memoir, the Baburnama, remains a vital source of historical information about his campaigns and the early Mughal period.
B. Administrative Reforms
Babur also laid the groundwork for a centralized administration, which was later perfected by his grandson Akbar. Though Babur himself did not live long enough to implement extensive reforms, his successors benefited from the strong military and political foundation he established.
Conclusion
Babur’s advance towards India was characterized by a series of calculated moves, strategic alliances, and decisive battles. His use of modern warfare techniques, particularly artillery, combined with his personal leadership, allowed him to overcome larger and more established forces like the Delhi Sultanate and the Rajputs. The Battle of Panipat in 1526 and the subsequent Battle of Khanwa in 1527 were key events that ensured Babur’s dominance over northern India and marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire, which would dominate the Indian subcontinent for the next three centuries.
