The struggle between Babur and Rana Sanga represents one of the most significant confrontations in Indian history following the establishment of the Mughal Empire. This struggle culminated in the Battle of Khanwa in 1527, where Babur defeated the powerful Rajput confederation led by Rana Sanga of Mewar. The conflict between these two leaders was marked by differing visions for the future of northern India: while Babur sought to consolidate his newly founded Mughal Empire, Rana Sanga aimed to restore Rajput dominance over the region and expel the Mughals, whom he saw as foreign invaders.
1. Background of Rana Sanga
Rana Sanga (also known as Maharana Sangram Singh), the ruler of Mewar, was one of the most powerful Rajput kings of his time. A member of the Sisodia clan, he became the leading figure in Rajput politics, having united a large number of Rajput rulers under his leadership. Rana Sanga had established himself as a formidable force by defeating numerous adversaries, including the Sultanate of Malwa and the Gujarat Sultanate, which further increased his power and prestige.
Rana Sanga envisioned a Rajput resurgence and the revival of Hindu power in northern India. His aim was to expel foreign rulers, including the declining Delhi Sultanate and the newly arrived Mughals, and establish Rajput dominance over the Indian heartland.
2. Initial Contact between Babur and Rana Sanga
When Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat (1526) and captured Delhi and Agra, Rana Sanga saw Babur as a potential ally in his own fight against the Lodis. Initially, Rana Sanga had welcomed Babur’s entry into India, as both shared a common enemy in Ibrahim Lodi. However, after Lodi’s defeat and Babur’s increasing consolidation of power in northern India, the relationship between Babur and Sanga soured.
Sanga had expected Babur to return to Kabul after overthrowing the Delhi Sultanate, leaving northern India open for Rajput expansion. When Babur stayed and began establishing Mughal rule, Rana Sanga saw this as a betrayal and a threat to Rajput dominance. He then prepared for an inevitable confrontation with the Mughal forces.
3. Rana Sanga’s Preparations for War
Rana Sanga, who had already created a strong Rajput confederacy, began forming alliances with other regional rulers to challenge Babur. He united a coalition of Rajput states and sought support from Mahmud Lodi, a surviving member of the Lodi dynasty, and Hassan Khan Mewati, a powerful local Muslim chieftain, who resented Babur’s growing power.
Rana Sanga’s army was vast and diverse:
- Rajput warriors, renowned for their martial skills and bravery.
- Forces from Afghanistan, led by Mahmud Lodi, who wanted to reclaim the Delhi throne after Ibrahim Lodi’s death.
- Support from Muslim rulers like Hassan Khan Mewati, who joined Sanga in opposition to Babur.
Sanga gathered a formidable army of around 80,000-100,000 troops along with war elephants, cavalry, and infantry, hoping to decisively defeat Babur and drive the Mughals out of India.
4. Babur’s Response
Babur, having secured Delhi and Agra, was aware of the looming threat from Rana Sanga. Initially, Babur’s forces were less in number, and there was significant concern within the Mughal camp about the power of the Rajputs and their allies. Moreover, the Mughals were fighting in unfamiliar territory, far from their power base in Central Asia.
However, Babur’s strategic thinking and military innovations were critical to his success. He understood that to secure his newly won empire, he would have to confront and defeat the Rajput confederacy decisively. Babur also recognized the challenge posed by Rana Sanga, who was considered one of the finest military commanders of the era.
5. Key Events Leading to the Battle of Khanwa
A. Babur’s Preparations
Babur, while preparing for the confrontation with Rana Sanga, made several important moves to bolster his army’s morale and strength:
- Fortification of His Army: Babur’s troops were heavily outnumbered, so he relied on defensive strategies similar to those used at the Battle of Panipat. He built field fortifications, using carts (araba) as barricades to form a defensive line from which his artillery and archers could fire at the advancing Rajput forces.
- Religious Motivation: To inspire his men, Babur declared a Jihad (holy war) against the Rajput coalition, framing the conflict as a religious duty for his Muslim soldiers. He even renounced alcohol publicly, smashed his wine vessels, and made a religious vow, further emphasizing the seriousness of the struggle.
- Introduction of Artillery and Firearms: Just as in the Battle of Panipat, Babur’s forces were equipped with gunpowder weapons—especially cannons and muskets—that played a crucial role in his military strategy. He positioned his artillery strategically, creating a deadly crossfire zone for the Rajput forces.
B. Diplomatic Maneuvers
Babur sent envoys to Rana Sanga proposing negotiations, but these overtures were rejected by the Rajput ruler, who was confident of victory due to his superior numbers and the strength of his alliances. Sanga believed that the combination of Rajput valor and Afghan reinforcements would easily defeat Babur’s army.
6. The Battle of Khanwa (March 16, 1527)
The Battle of Khanwa, fought on March 16, 1527, near Khanwa, around 60 kilometers from Agra, was the decisive conflict between Babur and Rana Sanga. The battle was as fierce as it was significant, with both sides committing large numbers of troops.
A. Babur’s Strategy
- Babur deployed his troops in a defensive formation, again using Tulughma tactics (dividing his army into flanks to outmaneuver and encircle the enemy). His center was fortified with carts, and he stationed his artillery and musketeers behind these barriers.
- His right and left wings, consisting of cavalry, were positioned to counter any attempts by the Rajputs to outflank his army.
B. Rana Sanga’s Attack
- Initial Success: Rana Sanga, known for his battlefield bravery, led a massive frontal assault with his cavalry and war elephants. The Rajput forces fought valiantly and managed to penetrate parts of Babur’s defenses.
- However, despite the initial success of the Rajputs, they were gradually worn down by Babur’s disciplined army and superior firepower.
C. Babur’s Use of Artillery
The critical turning point in the battle came with the effective use of artillery by Babur’s forces. The cannons, combined with the volley of musket fire, caused confusion and heavy casualties among the Rajput cavalry and war elephants. Sanga’s troops, unaccustomed to this new style of warfare, found themselves increasingly vulnerable to the sustained bombardment.
D. The Outcome
- Defeat of Rana Sanga: Despite the bravery of the Rajput warriors, the combined effects of Babur’s disciplined army, artillery, and strategic positioning led to a decisive victory for the Mughals. Rana Sanga was severely wounded in the battle and had to be carried off the battlefield. Though he survived the battle, he died shortly afterward, either due to his injuries or, according to some sources, from poisoning by one of his own nobles who saw no further hope of defeating Babur.
7. Key Personalities in the Battle
A. Babur
- Role: As the leader of the Mughal forces, Babur once again demonstrated his brilliance in military strategy. His ability to adapt to the new conditions of Indian warfare and employ gunpowder technology played a pivotal role in his victory.
- Legacy: Babur’s victory at Khanwa solidified Mughal control over northern India and ensured that the Mughal Empire would become the dominant power in the region.
B. Rana Sanga
- Role: Rana Sanga was a warrior-king of great repute, respected by his allies and feared by his enemies. His efforts to unify the Rajputs and his willingness to fight against the Mughals for Indian sovereignty made him one of the most significant figures in Indian history.
- Legacy: Though defeated, Rana Sanga remains a symbol of Rajput valor and resistance. His attempt to challenge Babur laid the foundation for future Rajput efforts to maintain autonomy in the face of Mughal expansion.
C. Mahmud Lodi
- Role: Mahmud Lodi, the younger brother of Ibrahim Lodi, sought to reclaim his family’s throne with the help of Rana Sanga. After the defeat at Khanwa, his ambitions were effectively crushed.
- Legacy: His participation in the battle highlighted the alliances between Rajput and Afghan forces, but his role in the larger narrative of Indian history ended with the defeat at Khanwa.
D. Hassan Khan Mewati
- Role: As an important ally of Rana Sanga, Hassan Khan Mewati fought against Babur in an attempt to check the Mughal advance. His forces were also heavily involved in the battle but were unable to turn the tide.
- Legacy: Hassan Khan’s involvement reflects the regional resistance to Mughal rule that Babur faced from various quarters, not just the Rajputs.
8. Aftermath and Significance of the Battle
The Battle of Khanwa was a watershed moment in Indian history. It marked the end of significant Rajput resistance to Mughal expansion in northern India and confirmed Babur’s position as the ruler of the subcontinent.
- Mughal Consolidation: Babur’s victory at Khanwa consolidated Mughal power in India. It allowed Babur to secure the cities of Agra and Delhi and establish a firm base for the Mughal dynasty.
- Decline of Rajput Power: Though Rajput rulers would continue to resist Mughal domination, the defeat of Rana Sanga ended their hopes of expelling the Mughals and reestablishing Rajput dominance in northern India.
- Strategic Importance: The battle highlighted the importance of modern military technology, particularly artillery and gunpowder, in warfare. Babur’s victory was a testament to the changing nature of military tactics in India.
Conclusion
The struggle between Babur and Rana Sanga was a conflict of immense importance in Indian history. It was not merely a clash of armies but a struggle between two visions for the future of northern India: one, led by Babur, of an Islamic empire based on modern military technology, and the other, led by Rana Sanga, of a Hindu-Rajput revival. Babur’s victory at the Battle of Khanwa ensured the dominance of the Mughals, shaping the history of India for centuries to come.
