First Battle of Panipat
Dynasty Foundation
Babur's decisive victory over Ibrahim Lodi that established the Mughal Empire in India.
Date
1526 CE
Location
Panipat, Haryana
Duration
Single day (April 21, 1526)
Casualties
Approximately 15,000-20,000 (mostly from Lodi's army)
The First Battle of Panipat, fought on April 21, 1526, was a watershed moment in Indian history that marked the beginning of Mughal rule in the Indian subcontinent. The battle was fought between the invading forces of Zahir-ud-Din Muhammad Babur, a descendant of both Timur and Genghis Khan, and the army of Ibrahim Lodi, the last Sultan of the Delhi Sultanate. Despite being significantly outnumbered, Babur's forces achieved a decisive victory through superior tactics, innovative use of gunpowder weapons, and strategic positioning. This victory not only established the Mughal Empire but also introduced new military technologies and administrative systems that would shape Indian history for the next three centuries.
Strategic Context
Babur's invasion was motivated by his desire to establish a stable kingdom after losing his ancestral territories in Central Asia. The Delhi Sultanate under Ibrahim Lodi was weakened by internal conflicts and rebellions by Afghan nobles. The choice of Panipat as the battlefield was strategic, as it controlled the route to Delhi and provided favorable terrain for Babur's tactical innovations.
Military Tactics
Babur employed the 'Tulughma' tactic, using wheeled carts (Araba) chained together to create a defensive barrier, behind which his artillery and matchlock men could operate safely. His forces were arranged in a crescent formation with the center protected by artillery and the flanks secured by cavalry. This innovative combination of firearms, field fortifications, and mobile tactics proved decisive against the traditional cavalry charges of the Sultanate army.