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First Battle of Panipat (1526)

Second and third battles of panipat (1556, 1761).

• When did the Mughal Empire end?
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Battles of Panipat

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Battles of Panipat , (1526, 1556, 1761), three military engagements, important in the history of northern India , fought at Panipat , a level plain suitable for cavalry movements, about 50 miles (80 km) north of Delhi .

An overwhelmingly outnumbered Mughal force prevailed at Panipat. This was due to the resourcefulness of its commander, Babur , demonstrated in his use of field fortifications and his instinctive sense of the value of the firepower of gunpowder. The victory enabled him to lay the foundations for the Indian Mughal Empire.

A descendant of Timur , Babur became a refugee at the age of twelve when the Uzbeks seized Samarkand in 1494. At age fifteen he was back with his own warband. He laid siege to his home city, but without success. Undaunted, he headed south into Afghanistan. Capturing Kabul in 1504, he made it his base for raids into Central Asia’s Transoxania region. Increasingly, however, he found himself tempted by the unimaginable wealth of India. In the years that followed, he mounted a series of incursions into the Punjab.

These territories had for three centuries belonged to a Muslim empire, the Delhi sultanate . Although its prestige had been badly damaged by Timur’s triumph of 1398, it remained a powerful presence in northern India. At this time, the sultanate was under the control of an Afghan elite. A capricious and divisive ruler, Sultan Ibrahim Lodi had alienated many of his nobles. It was indeed a local lord in Hindustan who, in 1523, invited Babur to undertake a full-scale invasion.

Although he clearly was attracted by the idea of invasion, Babur was in no hurry. His army numbered only 10,000 men, so he made sure that they were well equipped and superbly trained before committing to his assault on Hindustan. He took the time to train them in the use of gunpowder weapons, while making sure their skills in traditional steppe warfare were not neglected. Only at the end of 1525 did he embark on his invasion.

His army swept aside the Afghan force that marched out to meet it, so Sultan Ibrahim himself led a second army into the field, taking up a position at Panipat, to the north of Delhi. On 12 April 1526, Babur found himself confronted with an enormous multitude: 100,000 men and 1,000 elephants. Unfazed, he set about constructing an impromptu fortress on the open plain, tying 700 carts together and fronting them with earthen ramparts as protection for his cannon and for his musketeers with their matchlocks. As the days passed and a hesitant Sultan Ibrahim stayed his attack, Babur was able to consolidate his position still further. He dug trenches and felled trees, constructing barriers to the left and right, while leaving gaps through which his cavalry could charge.

On 21 April, Ibrahim finally made his move. His troops surged forward, only to be brought up short by Babur’s fortifications. As they milled about in confusion, the Mughal cavalry came wheeling in from the wings: the sultan’s force was effectively surrounded. At this point, Babur’s gunners opened up their bombardment from behind their barrier, firing at point-blank range into this close-packed mass. Unable either to advance or retreat, the Afghan army was cut down cruelly.

Not only was Babur now the undisputed ruler of Hindustan, but also the road to Delhi and the domains of the sultanate lay wide open. On the basis of this victory, he was able to establish a glorious new ruling line. In honor of its founder’s Timurid origins—and of the Mongol antecedents of Timur himself—this was to be known as the Mughal, or Mogul, dynasty . This victory marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire in India.

Losses: Mughal, unknown; Afghan, 20,000–50,000.

The Mughal Empire’s expansion, stalled after the death of its founder Babur in 1530, began anew under Babur’s grandson, Akbar . Fighting on a field that had proved so propitious for his grandfather, the young Akbar won a vital victory over the powerful Hindu ruler, Hemu.

Babur’s son Humayun had encountered serious setbacks, even losing his kingdom after it was conquered by the Pashtun warlord Sher Shah Suri in 1540. Rebuilding his forces in exile , he eventually took back his realms fifteen years later, leaving his son and successor, Akbar, with a great empire.

To the east of Akbar’s realms, the Suri general Hemu had set himself up as a strongman ruler; calling himself a king, he built a powerbase in Bengal. Aged just thirteen, Akbar seemed singularly ill-equipped to cope with this threat. However, he had rare gifts—and the support of his guardian, the accomplished general Bairam Khan. Hemu had unstoppable momentum, it seemed—having already taken Agra and the strategic fortress of Tughlaqabad, in October 1556 he captured Delhi. Too late to save the city, Akbar’s army let it go and stopped on the plains to the north, at Panipat.

On 5 November 1556, the scene was set for the Second Battle of Panipat. Repeated elephant charges failed to break the resolve of the outnumbered Mughal soldiers. An inspiring figure, Hemu led from the front, perched high up on an elephant, an important talisman for his troops. He was also a tempting target for the Mughal archers, and initially they showered him with shafts to no avail, so impregnable was the headto-foot armor he was wearing. Eventually, though, one arrow found its way in through an eye-slit and killed him. Seeing their leader fall, the Hindus broke and fled.

The third battle (Jan. 14, 1761) ended the Maratha attempt to succeed the Mughals as rulers of India and marked the virtual end of the Mughal empire. The Maratha army, under the Bhao Sahib, uncle of the peshwa (chief minister), was trapped and destroyed by the Afghan chief Aḥmad Shah Durrānī .

Following the decline of the Mughal Empire after the death of Emperor Aurangzeb, the Maratha Confederacy had expanded rapidly, threatening the Afghan Durrani Empire, ruled by Ahmad Shah Durrani. Ahmad declared a jihad and launched a campaign that captured large parts of the Punjab. The Marathas responded by raising a large army, under the command of Sadashivrao Bhau, and recaptured Delhi. Ahmad’s campaign was aimed at starving the Maratha army of its supplies. At the same time, he led an army of 40,000 into the south to trap the Maratha army in the Punjab.

Cut off and starving, Bhau decided to break Ahmad’s blockade, spawning the two armies to face off at Panipat. The former attempted to pulverize the latter’s army with a massive artillery bombardment and then utilize his superiority in numbers to break the Durrani blockade and move south in a defensive posture. However, he was undermined by rivalries within his ranks and the need to protect many civilians. Durrani launched a surprise attack before the artillery had inflicted serious damage and Bhau’s nephew was killed. The Maratha commander entered the battle to recover his nephew’s body, but his troops thought him dead and their morale plummeted. The smaller Durrani army took advantage and routed them. Bhau escaped, to die sometime later, but the Maratha army had been destroyed and the unity of the empire was broken.

This began 40 years of anarchy in northwestern India and cleared the way for later British supremacy.

Losses: Maratha, 40,000 casualties and 30,000 captured of 80,000; Durrani, 5,000 casualties of 40,000–75,000.

The Mughal Emperors

Journey Through Time: Explore the Legacy of the Mughal Empire.

Unveiling the Epoch: The First Battle of Panipat (1526) – A Turning Point in Indian History

Table of Contents

The first great battle in Indian history was the Battle of Panipat

The First Battle of Panipat, a historical relic of India, dates back to the 21st of April, 1526. It was the start of the Mughal regime in India. Conflict event happened between the forces of Babur -the founder of the Mughal empire- and Ibrahim Iodi- the Sultan of Delhi. A fight for supremacy took place near Panipat, a town located in nowadays Haryana, and India. This encounter resulted in a complete change of the landscape of politics in the Indian Subcontinent and the Mughal Empire was seen as the most dominant one in the region.

Causes of the Battle

Babur’s ambitions.

Babur, a progeny of Timur and Genghis Khan who was an emigrant, was sharply interested in removing his own rule over the Indian subcontinent after encountering difficulties in Central Asia.

Ibrahim Lodi’s Rule

The reign of Ibrahim Lodi came to a problematic end due to internal conflicts and enemy aggression. These issues undermined the stability of the Delhi Sultanate and offered Babur a chance to build his empire.

Pre-Battle Preparations

Babur’s military tactics.

Famous for his strategic mind, Babur excellently planned his invasion. He used advanced artillery and decided to have an average range of the army containing infantry, cavalry, and artillery units.

Ibrahim Lodi’s Armies

On the contrary, Ibrahim Lodi’s army was larger but he had none of the personal charisma, cohesion, and discipline that ignited the men under his command’s loyalty since internal rivalries and discontentment among his nobles brought his authority down.

The Battle Unfolds

Deployment of forces.

One of the tactics of Babur was to use the crescent formation of his troops and put the artillery at the best positions that could give the most effective impact. By all means, the armour of Ibrahim Lodi was not as strengthened as it should have been, so he mainly depended on his archers and horsemen in fighting against Babur.

Initial Engagements

The fighting was initiated by both the army’s vanguards and then the battle intensified with reinforcements arriving on both sides and both sides were fighting together.

Turning Points

Central moments, the final defeat of Ibrahim Lodi and Babur’s rise to triumph with Khizr Khan’s elephant were key shifts that sided the decision in Babur’s favour.

Aftermath of the Battle

Babur’s victory.

Babur’s victory in the battle of Panipat made him a winner over the dynasties that were already well-established in the Indian subcontinent and this success created a path for the continuation of his empire.

The decline of the Delhi Sultanate

The ruin of Ibrahim Lodi dealt a terrible blow to the Delhi Sultanate, putting the latter on a downward spiral towards its ruthless deaths.

Historical Significance

Establishment of the mughal empire.

Panipat-1 , which transpired in 1526, was the beginning of what eventually became the Mughal Empire was dominant over the Indian sub-continent practically for hundreds of years.

Influence on the Indian Subcontinent

With this battle result the political landscape in the whole Indian subcontinent was changed. Successful Ahmed Shah was able to unify the area under his rule, which in turn changed the regional history.

Modern Perspectives

Interpretations and debates.

Historians hold different views on the importance and the reasons for the First Panipat Battle as they participate in the interpretation of the event’s outcome.

Cultural Impact

It is the picture of art, literature, and a culture that lives through centuries, being considered brave heroics and toughness.

The Battle of Panipat was and still is regarded as the most significant event in the history of India, as it was the Empire’s beginning and revolutionized everything politically happening in that region. First, the fascinating story of how Babur, together with his successfully forming Mughal Empire, changed the course of Indian history for decades is worth mentioning.

What were the determinants of the First Battle of Panipat?

The disagreement concerning the events that led to the First Battle of Panipat is that Babur wanted to establish his rule all over the Indian subcontinent which was prevented by the internal instability in the Delhi Sultanate under the reign of Ibrahim Lodi.

What did Babur’s military approaches lead him to?

The innovative approach of Babur in the military field such as the effective use of artillery, strategic positioning of troops and finally his manoeuvrability on the battlefield were the elements that gave him the necessary victory in Panyipat.

How did the battle bring long-term consequences to the Indian subcontinent?

This fight led to the creation of the Mughal Empire which had an enormous impact on the political, cultural and socio-economical impact of the Indian sub-continent for a long time.

Have historians ever considered the meaning of the First Battle of Panipat?

According to historians, this battle signifies the crucial confluence point in Indian history, when the Mughals started their rule and the end of local powers was inevitable. Along with comparing the consequences of weapons, it also explored the role of military strategy and technology development in decision-making.

What cultural presentations are there of the battle in modern times?

The First Battle of Panipat is naturally embodied in the different types of art forms, literature, and popular culture during the past few centuries to present its timeless value for Indian history and national pride.

Was there any such famous general or hero on both sides during the First Battle of Panipat?

Absolutely, for Babur and in the second place, Ibrahim Lodi is considered to be the principal identity in the battle. Nevertheless, under the banner of Babur, his generals – Khan Zaman and Khan Mewati – were also a force to reckon with whereas on the side of Ibrahim Lodi, his brother, Mahmud Lodi stood as a strong support.

What the role of artillery was in the outcome of that battle?

Among all the factors that led to Babur’s success, the most decisive was probably the artillery which, under the command of his trusted generals, played a crucial role on the battleground. Babur’s advanced and heavy-duty cannons inflicted heavy losses among Ibrahim Lodi’s forces and disrupted their formations, which proved to be very important for the skirmish outcome.

What role did the battleground terrain have on the strategy applied by Babur and Ibrahim Lodi?

The ease with which the soldiers of the Panipat region could move in large formations along this plain had an impact on how both sides deployed their troops and where each cavalry unit was placed. By applying this information, it becomes apparent that the prevalence or lack of aspects like human terrain or mountainous regions also played a part in military strategy in ancient times.

How did the soldiers lose their lives on both sides in the first battle at Panipat?

The actual numbers cannot be specifically determined, but it is somehow certain that no side knew it was just a matter of certain numbers telling the tallies either tens of thousands dead or wounded, or even Ibrahim Lodi himself.

What consequences would have been Babur’s victory at Panipat?

The success at Panipat put Babur at the forefront of being a major player in the region, leading to the rise of new allies and diplomatic declarations across neighbouring states and also helped strengthen his rule in the region.  

The First Battle of Panipat

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Trumpeting, their eyes wide with panic, the elephants turned back and charged into their own troops, crushing scores of men underfoot. Their opponents had brought a terrifying new technology to bear, something the elephants likely had never heard before

Background to the First Battle of Panipat

India's invader, Babur, was the scion of the great Central Asian conqueror-families; his father was a descendant of Timur, while his mother's family traced its roots back to Genghis Khan.

His father died in 1494, and the 11-year-old Babur became the ruler of Farghana (Fergana), in what is now the border area between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan . However, his uncles and cousins fought Babur for the throne, forcing him to abdicate twice. Unable to hold on to Farghana or take Samarkand, the young prince gave up on the family seat, turning south to capture Kabul instead in 1504.

Babur was not satisfied for long with ruling over Kabul and the surrounding districts alone, however. Throughout the early sixteenth century, he made several incursions northward into his ancestral lands but never was able to hold them for long. Discouraged, by 1521, he had set his sights on lands further to the south instead: Hindustan (India), which was under the rule of the Delhi Sultanate and Sultan Ibrahim Lodi.

The Lodi dynasty was actually the fifth and final of the Delhi Sultanate's ruling families during the late medieval period. The Lodi family were ethnic Pashtuns who took control over a large section of northern India in 1451, reunifying the area after Timur's devastating invasion in 1398.

Ibrahim Lodi was a weak and tyrannical ruler, disliked by the nobility and commoners alike. In fact, the noble families of the Delhi Sultanate despised him to such a degree that they actually invited Babur to invade! The Lodi ruler would have trouble preventing his troops from defecting to Babur's side during the fighting, as well.

Battle Forces and Tactics

Babur's Mughal forces consisted of between 13,000 and 15,000 men, mostly horse cavalry. His secret weapon was 20 to 24 pieces of field artillery, a relatively recent innovation in warfare.

Arrayed against the Mughals were Ibrahim Lodi's 30,000 to 40,000 soldiers, plus tens of thousands of camp followers. Lodi's primary weapon of shock and awe was his troop of war elephants, numbering anywhere from 100 to 1,000 trained and battle-hardened pachyderms, according to different sources.

Ibrahim Lodi was no tactician; his army simply marched out in a disorganized block, relying on sheer numbers and the aforementioned elephants to overwhelm the enemy. Babur, however, employed two tactics unfamiliar to Lodi, which turned the tide of the battle.

The first was tulughma , dividing a smaller force into forward left, rear left, forward right, rear right, and center divisions. The highly mobile right and left divisions peeled out and surrounded the larger enemy force, driving them towards the center. At the center, Babur arrayed his cannons. The second tactical innovation was Babur's use of carts, called araba . His artillery forces were shielded behind a row of carts which were tied together with leather ropes, to prevent the enemy from getting between them and attacking the artillerymen. This tactic was borrowed from the Ottoman Turks.

The Battle of Panipat

After conquering the Punjab region (which today is divided between northern India and Pakistan ), Babur drove on toward Delhi. Early on the morning of April 21, 1526, his army met the Delhi sultan's at Panipat, now in Haryana State, about 90 kilometers north of Delhi.

Using his tulughma formation, Babur trapped the Lodi army in a pincer motion. He then used his cannons to great effect; the Delhi war elephants had never heard such a loud and terrible noise, and the spooked animals turned around and ran through their own lines, crushing Lodi's soldiers as they ran. Despite these advantages, the battle was a close contest given the Delhi Sultanate's overwhelming numerical superiority.

As the bloody encounter dragged on toward midday, however, more and more of Lodi's soldiers defected to Babur's side. Finally, the tyrannical sultan of Delhi was abandoned by his surviving officers and left to die on the battlefield from his wounds. The Mughal upstart from Kabul had prevailed.

The Aftermath of the Battle

According to the Baburnama , Emperor Babur's autobiography, the Mughals killed 15,000 to 16,000 of the Delhi soldiers. Other local accounts put the total losses at closer to 40,000 or 50,000. Of Babur's own troops, some 4,000 were killed in the battle. There is no record of the elephants' fate.

The First Battle of Panipat is a crucial turning point in the history of India. Although it would take time for Babur and his successors to consolidate control over the country, the defeat of the Delhi Sultanate was a major step towards the establishment of the Mughal Empire , which would rule India until it was defeated in turn by the British Raj in 1868.

The Mughal path to the empire was not smooth. Indeed, Babur's son Humayan lost the entire kingdom during his reign but was able to regain some territory before his death. The empire was truly solidified by Babur's grandson, Akbar the Great ; later successors included the ruthless Aurangzeb and Shah Jahan, the creator of the Taj Mahal .

• Babur, Emperor of Hindustan, trans. Wheeler M. Thackston. The Baburnama: Memoirs of Babur, Prince, and Emperor , New York: Random House, 2002.
• Davis, Paul K. 100 Decisive Battles: From Ancient Times to the Present , Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999.
• Roy, Kaushik. India's Historic Battles: From Alexander the Great to Kargil , Hyderabad: Orient Black Swan Publishing, 2004.
• Biography of Babur, Founder of the Mughal Empire
• The Delhi Sultanates
• The Gunpowder Empires: Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal
• Early Muslim Rule in India From 1206 to 1398 CE
• The Mughal Empire in India
• Little-Known Asian Battles That Changed History
• The Koh-i-Noor Diamond
• Who Are the Pashtun People of Afghanistan and Pakistan?
• Timeline of Indian History
• A Timeline of India's Mughal Empire
• Biography of Mahmud of Ghazni, First Sultan in History
• Military History Timeline From 1401 to 1600
• Biography of Akbar the Great, Emperor of Mughal India
• Biography of Tamerlane, 14th Century Conqueror of Asia
• Punic Wars: Battle of Zama
• The Battle of Gaugamela During the Wars of Alexander the Great

First Battle of Panipat History, Army, Details and Result

First Battle of Panipat was fought between the last Sultan of Delhi. Read all the details about First Battle of Panipat History, Army, Details and Result for UPSC Exam.

Table of Contents

First Battle of Panipat

The First Battle of Panipat was fought on April 21, 1526, between Babur’s invading forces and the Lodi dynasty. It took place in North India and marked the start of the Mughal Empire as well as the end of the Delhi Sultanate. The Mughals were the first to use gunpowder firearms and field artillery in an Indian subcontinent battle. In this article, we will discuss the first Battle of Panipat, which is an important part of the UPSC Syllabus of Medieval History.

Read about: Battle of Buxar

First Battle of Panipat History

On April 21, 1526, the First Battle of Panipat took place in Panipat, a level plain suitable for cavalry movements about 50 miles (80 kilometres) north of Delhi. It was fought between Mughal ruler Babur (Kabul) and Delhi Sultan Ibrahim Lodi. North India was ruled by Ibrahim Lodi of the Lodi dynasty at the time, but the empire was crumbling and there were many defectors.

Daulat Khan Lodi, Governor of Punjab, and Ala-ud-Din, Ibrahim’s uncle, invited Babur. When Babur received the invitation, he dispatched an ambassador to Ibrahim, claiming him to be the rightful heir to the country’s throne, but the ambassador was detained in Lahore and later released.

Babur arrived in Lahore in 1524 but was turned back by Lodi’s troops. He attempted to defeat Lodi once more, this time with the help of another rebel chief, but failed. Babur, on the other hand, was better prepared in 1526, thanks to an improved intelligence network. This led to the first Battle of Panipat in 1526, in Panipat, a level plain suitable for cavalry movements about 50 miles (80 kilometres) north of Delhi.

Read about: Battle of Plassey

First Battle of Panipat Army

Babur’s Mughal forces numbered between 13,000 and 15,000 men, the vast majority of whom were cavalry mounted on horses. His main weapon was a battery of 20 to 24 field artillery pieces, a relatively new innovation in warfare.

Against the Mughals were Ibrahim Lodi’s 30,000 to 40,000 soldiers, as well as tens of thousands of camp followers. Lodi’s primary weapon of shock and awe, according to various sources, was his troop of war elephants, which numbered anywhere from 100 to 1,000 trained and battle-hardened pachyderms.

Read about: List of the Mughal Emperors

Battle of Panipat in Detail

Ibrahim Lodi was no tactician; his army marched out in a haphazard formation, relying on sheer numbers and elephant power to overwhelm the enemy. Babur, on the other hand, used two unfamiliar to Lodi tactics that turned the tide of the battle. Tulughma was the first to divide a smaller force into sections such as forward left, rear left, forward right, rear right, and centre.

The highly mobile right and left divisions peeled out and surrounded the larger enemy force, driving it into the centre of the battlefield. Babur placed his cannons in the centre. The use of carts, known as Araba, was Babur’s second tactical innovation. A row of carts tied together with leather ropes protected his artillery forces, preventing the enemy from getting between them and attacking the artillerymen.

This tactic was previously used by the Ottoman Turks during the Battle of Chaldiran, which is why Babur referred to it as the “Ottoman device.” Babur’s Tulughma formation trapped the Lodi army in a pincher motion.

Because the Lodi’s war elephants had never heard such a loud and terrible noise as that produced by the canons, the terrified animals turned around and ran through their own lines, trampling their own men. Finally, the tyrannical Sultan of Delhi, Ibrahim Lodi, was abandoned by his surviving officers and left to die from his wounds on the battlefield.

Read about: Later Mughal

First Battle of Panipat Result

In 1526, Sultan of Delhi Ibrahim Lodi’s much larger ruling army was defeated by Babur, the Timurid ruler of Kabulistan, effectively ending the Lodi dynasty in India. Although it would take some time for Babur and his successors to gain control of the country, the defeat of the Delhi Sultanate was a significant step towards the establishment of the Mughal Empire, which would rule India until it was defeated by the British Raj in 1858.

Read about: Bahadur Shah I

First Battle of Panipat UPSC

The First Battle of Panipat was fought on 21 April 1526 in North India between the invading forces of Babur and the Lodi Empire. It was the start of the Mughal Empire. This was one of the first battles fought with gunpowder and field artillery. Visit the official website of StudyIQ UPSC online coaching to learn more about the UPSC Exam and subject.

Read about: Muhammad Shah

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Who won 2nd battle of Panipat?

On November 5, 1556, the Second Battle of Panipat was fought between the forces of Samrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya, popularly known as Hemu, the Hindu king ruling North India from Delhi, and the army of Akbar. It was a decisive victory for Akbar's generals Khan Zaman I and Bairam Khan.

Who won the 3 battle of Panipat?

After destroying several Maratha flanks, the forces led by Ahmad Shah Durrani emerged victorious. Historians disagree about the extent of both sides' losses, but it is estimated that 60,000-70,000 people were killed in the fighting, while the number of injured and prisoners taken varies greatly.

Was the First Battle of Panipat fought?

The First Battle of Panipat was fought between the last Sultan of Delhi, Ibrahim Lodi, and Babur in 1526 CE.

Who betrayed in Panipat Battle 3?

During the third battle of Panipat in 1761, Shuja-ud-Daulah decided to join the Afghan-Rohilla coalition, which they saw as the army of the Muslims. Maratha was devastated because he relied on him for financial assistance.

What are the three wars of Panipat?

Battles of Panipat, (1526, 1556, and 1761), three military engagements in northern Indian history fought at Panipat, a level plain suitable for cavalry movements about 50 miles (80 km) north of Delhi.

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Mughal Empire

First Battle of Panipat

The First Battle of Panipat on 21 April 1526 marked the onset of the Mughal Empire in India , ending the Delhi Sultanate . It was notable for its early use of gunpowder firearms and field artillery, introduced by the invading Mughal forces led by Babur. This battle saw Babur defeat Sultan Ibrahim Lodi of the Delhi Sultanate using innovative military tactics, including firearms and cavalry charges, thus beginning Mughal rule which lasted until 1857.

Babur's interest in India was initially to expand his rule to Punjab, honoring his ancestor Timur's legacy. The political landscape of North India was favorable, with the Lodi dynasty under Ibrahim Lodi weakening. Babur was invited by Daulat Khan Lodi, Governor of Punjab, and Ala-ud-Din, Ibrahim's uncle, to challenge Ibrahim. An unsuccessful diplomatic approach to claim the throne led to Babur's military action.

Upon reaching Lahore in 1524 and finding Daulat Khan Lodi expelled by Ibrahim's forces, Babur defeated the Lodi army, burned Lahore, and moved to Dipalpur, setting up Alam Khan as governor. After Alam Khan was overthrown, he and Babur joined forces with Daulat Khan Lodi, unsuccessfully besieging Delhi. Realizing the challenges, Babur prepared for a decisive confrontation.

At Panipat, Babur strategically employed the " Ottoman device" for defense and utilized field artillery effectively. His tactical innovations, including the tulguhma strategy of dividing his forces and the use of araba (carts) for artillery, were key to his victory. The defeat and death of Ibrahim Lodi, along with 20,000 of his troops, marked a significant victory for Babur, laying the foundation for the Mughal Empire's establishment in India, a dominion that would endure for over three centuries.

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On this day: The First Battle of Panipat: How It Altered the Course of Indian History

A comprehensive analysis of the first battle of panipat, the strategies employed by babur, and the impact of the battle on the formation of the mughal empire and the future of india..

Friday April 21, 2023 ,

The First Battle of Panipat, fought on April 21, 1526, marked a significant turning point in the history of India. The battle pitted the invading forces of Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, against the army of the Delhi Sultanate led by Sultan Ibrahim Lodi. The battle resulted in a decisive victory for Babur, leading to the establishment of the Mughal Empire in India, which would last until the British colonisation in the mid-19th century.

Background:

Before the First Battle of Panipat, North India was dominated by the Delhi Sultanate, which had been weakened by internal strife and ineffective leadership. Babur, a descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan, had established himself as a powerful ruler in the region of modern-day Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. In 1524, Babur captured Lahore and used it as a base for his invasion of India, setting the stage for the First Battle of Panipat.

The Battle:

The two armies met on the plains of Panipat, a small town located approximately 90 kilometers north of Delhi. Babur's forces, numbering around 15,000, were heavily outnumbered by Ibrahim Lodi's army, which was estimated to be between 30,000 and 40,000 strong. However, Babur's superior tactics, innovative use of artillery, and well-disciplined troops would prove decisive in the battle.

Babur utilised a formation called the "Tulughma," which involved the use of a center force supported by two flanks that could envelop the enemy. He also deployed matchlock firearms and artillery to devastating effect, which were relatively new to Indian warfare at the time. The battle began with an intense artillery barrage, causing chaos among the Delhi Sultanate's forces. The disciplined Mughal cavalry then charged and broke through the enemy lines.

The Aftermath:

The First Battle of Panipat resulted in a decisive victory for Babur, with Sultan Ibrahim Lodi killed on the battlefield. This victory allowed Babur to capture Delhi and Agra, leading to the establishment of the Mughal Empire in India. The Mughal Empire would go on to become one of the most powerful and influential empires in Indian history, known for its architectural marvels, such as the Taj Mahal, and its contributions to art, literature, and science.

The First Battle of Panipat was a pivotal moment in Indian history that marked the beginning of the Mughal era. The battle demonstrated the importance of superior tactics, discipline, and the effective use of technology in warfare. The Mughal Empire would continue to shape the cultural, political, and social landscape of India for centuries to come.

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The Battles of Panipat: A Turning Point in Indian History

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Explore the First, Second, and Third Battles of Panipat, which were crucial in establishing and challenging the Mughal Empire's dominance in India. From Babur's innovative military tactics in 1526 to Akbar's victory in 1556, and the significant 1761 defeat of the Marathas by Ahmad Shah Durrani, these battles had profound effects on the subcontinent's political landscape, leading to the rise of British colonialism.

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The First Battle of Panipat

Introduction of gunpowder warfare.

Babur's use of advanced military tactics and field artillery marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire in India

Clash of Cultures and Martial Traditions

The confrontation between Babur and Ibrahim Lodi represented not only a military engagement but also a clash of different cultures and martial traditions

Dissolution of the Delhi Sultanate

The defeat of Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat led to the decline of the Delhi Sultanate and the rise of Mughal hegemony in India

The Second Battle of Panipat

Reaffirmation of mughal sovereignty.

Akbar's victory over Hemu at the Second Battle of Panipat solidified Mughal dominance in India

Use of Technology and Military Strategies

Mobile Cannons

The Mughal army's effective use of mobile cannons played a crucial role in their victory at the Second Battle of Panipat

Entrenched Positions

The Mughals' strategic use of entrenched positions helped safeguard their artillery and contributed to their success at the Second Battle of Panipat

Role of Bairam Khan

Akbar's regent and military commander, Bairam Khan, played a crucial role in the Mughals' victory at the Second Battle of Panipat through his strategic maneuvering

The Third Battle of Panipat

One of the largest battles of the 18th century.

The Third Battle of Panipat, fought between the Afghan and Maratha forces, was one of the largest battles of the 18th century

Afghan Triumph and Maratha Defeat

Ahmad Shah Durrani's victory over the Maratha army at the Third Battle of Panipat was attributed to strategic alliances, military tactics, and the effective use of cavalry

Consequences for the Indian Subcontinent

Weakening of the Maratha Empire

The defeat of the Maratha army at the Third Battle of Panipat significantly weakened their empire

Afghan Ascendancy and British Colonial Influence

The Third Battle of Panipat paved the way for a period of Afghan ascendancy and ultimately influenced the establishment of British rule in India

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Date of the First Battle of Panipat

April 21, 1526

Babur's military innovation in the battle

Use of field artillery and advanced tactics

Defeated ruler at the First Battle of Panipat

Ibrahim Lodi, last Sultan of the Delhi Sultanate

______'s victory in the ______ Battle of Panipat is credited to his innovative use of ______ and field artillery.

Babur First cavalry

Date and Outcome of the Second Battle of Panipat

Fought on November 5, 1556; Mughals defeated Hemu, reinforcing their rule.

Akbar's Age During the Second Battle of Panipat

Akbar was 13 years old when his forces won the battle.

______ Khan, the regent and military leader for ______, demonstrated strategic maneuvering during the battle, contributing to the Mughal victory.

Bairam Akbar

Date and Event: Third Battle of Panipat

Occurred on January 14, 1761; one of the 18th century's largest battles.

Belligerents: Third Battle of Panipat

Afghan forces under Ahmad Shah Durrani vs. Maratha Empire.

Outcome's Impact: Third Battle of Panipat

Maratha defeat led to power shift in India, facilitating British colonial expansion.

Despite their numbers, the Maratha army faced internal conflicts and supply problems, leading to their defeat at the hands of ______ forces.

Impact of Third Battle of Panipat on Maratha Empire

Significantly weakened Maratha power, reducing their dominance in the region.

British East India Company post-Panipat battle

Facilitated British colonial expansion as regional power vacuum emerged.

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The Establishment of the Mughal Empire: The First Battle of Panipat

Military Innovation and Leadership at the First Battle of Panipat

The second battle of panipat: cementing mughal authority, advanced warfare during the second battle of panipat, the third battle of panipat and its historical significance, the decisive victory of ahmad shah durrani at panipat, the third battle of panipat's impact on the indian subcontinent.

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(1399, 1526, 1556, 1761).

Panipat is now a town, still with a fort and a wall with fifteen gates, in the Haryana province of northern India, in the Ganges-Jumna basin ...

From:   Panipat, battles of   in  The Oxford Companion to Military History »

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Home → Articles → The First Battle of Panipat

Written by Haniya Ali • August 28, 2023 • 7:00 pm • Articles , Pakistan , Published Content

The First Battle of Panipat

Haniya   Ali is pursuing her Bachelor's in Government and Public Policy from National Defence University, Islamabad.

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By the early 16th century, with the aim of expanding his territory, Babur set his sights on the rich and fertile plains of Northern India. Since Punjab was originally a part of his dominion, his main objective up to 1524 was to finish the legacy of his ancestor Timur.

Most of North India was under Ibrahim Lodi’s control at the time, but the Lodi dynasty was in chaos and there were several defections. Ibrahim’s uncle Ala-ud-Din and the governor of Punjab, Daulat Khan Lodi, both invited him. He sent an emissary to Ibrahim, where he claimed to be the rightful heir, but the emissary was detained in Lahore and released many months later.  

In 1524, Babur set out for Lahore, Punjab, but discovered that Ibrahim Lodi’s soldiers had driven away Daulat Khan Lodi. Babur set Lahore on fire for two days before marching to Dipalpur and installing Alam Khan, another Lodi rebel uncle, as governor. Alam Khan was ousted quite soon and escaped to Kabul.

Babur responded by providing troops to Alam Khan, who eventually teamed up with Daulat Khan Lodi and, with the help of roughly 30,000 soldiers, besieged Ibrahim Lodi at Delhi.

The Famous Battlefield: Panipat

Panipat, strategically located in modern-day Haryana, was a favorite place for wars because its strategic location along the Yamuna River’s banks made it the perfect spot for the transportation of troops and supplies. It was situated on a wide-open plain, which made it the perfect place for significant fights. The Grand Trunk Road, which served as the primary commerce route between North India and Central Asia, is also where it is situated.

Panipat’s political importance was another factor in the decision to use it as the battleground. North India was split up into several minor kingdoms that were continually striving for dominance during the medieval era. At the intersection of numerous significant kingdoms, including Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, stood Panipat.

Additionally, Panipat was seen as a safe haven by the numerous groups vying for dominance in the area. Its remote location made it less susceptible to political pressure because it was removed from the other kingdoms’ political hotspots.

Around 100,000 warriors, including infantry, cavalry, and war elephants, made up Ibrahim Lodi’s strong army. On the opposing side, Babur commanded an army of about 20,000 trained and battle-hardened warriors, including expert cavalry, gunners, and archers which clashed on the flat lands of Panipat on the day of 21 st April 1526.

The first Battle of Panipat was fierce and brutal, with both sides displaying their military powers. Babur, with his artillery and experienced army, gained an initial advantage by inflicting heavy casualties on the Lodi forces. However, Ibrahim Lodi’s war elephants initially disrupted Babur’s formations, causing momentary chaos.

Sultan Ibrahim personally led a second army into battle and took up a position at Panipat, to the north of Delhi, after his army routed the Afghan force that had marched out to meet it. Babur was able to solidify his position even more as the days went by and a reluctant Sultan Ibrahim postponed his attack. The first Battle of Panipat resulted in casualties of 20,000 to 50,000 Afghans while the deaths of Mughals are still unknown.

Babur’s Military Strategies and the Turning Point

Babur’s new strategies, like the Tulghuma and the Araba , helped him prevail in the fight. The goal of the Tulghuma strategy was to divide the entire army into small units and deploy them on the flanks. Araba referred to rows of numerous, rope-bound wagons that were positioned with their backs to the adversary. The flanking units were further separated by Babur into forward and rear divisions.

Babur divided his army into formations in order to surround the enemy from all sides because he was aware that his army was not very large. Mantlets were used to support, protect, and position cannons behind the carts so they could be moved around with ease. Both these strategies made Babur’s artillery deadly. The heavy cannons could be moved via the wheeled mantlets, which allowed them to alter course for new targets.

In a critical turn of events, Babur’s clever strategy to lure the Lodi forces into a trap eventually resulted in the loss of Ibrahim’s life on the battlefield. During the fierce, hand-on-hand fight, the death of their leader shattered the morale of the Lodi forces, leading to their eventual defeat.

In the history of the subcontinent , the first Battle of Panipat marked an epoch. With Babur’s conquest, the Mughal Empire’s control over the subcontinent officially started and lasted for more than three centuries. The conflict also highlighted the tactical value of guns and artillery, which encouraged the widespread use of these weapons in Indian combat.

With Babur’s conquest, a new dynasty was established, at a time of brilliant artistic production and political stability. Additionally, it brought Central Asian influences to the Indian subcontinent, changing the landscape of its culture and architecture. When looked through the lens of military development, the battle of Panipat marks the start of the gunpowder age and the end of the age of elephants as the prime weapon of Indian warfare.

The views and opinions expressed in this article/paper are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Paradigm Shift.

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First Battle of Panipat - [April 21, 1526] This Day in History

What happened?

The First Battle of Panipat was fought between the forces of Babur and Ibrahim Lodhi. The Battle was fought on April 21, 1526.

First Battle of Panipat

• The Delhi Sultanate was ruled by the Afghan Lodi dynasty from 1451.
• Ibrahim Lodi, a great warrior but an undiplomatic ruler, was the reigning king of the Sultanate from 1517.
• Babur, a descendant of both Timur and Chengiz Khan, was the ruler of Fergana (in Uzbekistan) and had conquered Kabul in 1504. He tried to capture Samarkand but lost it three times. Hence, he turned his attention to Punjab.
• He was invited by Daulat Khan, the governor of Punjab, to invade the region and unsettle Ibrahim Lodi.
• Babur reached Lahore in 1524 but was sent back by Lodi’s troops. He tried to defeat Lodi again with the help of another rebel chief but in vain.
• However, in 1526, Babur prepared better with an improved intelligence network. Although he had a smaller number of troops compared to Lodi, he organised his men better into three flanks. He also introduced gunpowder firearms and field artillery into the subcontinent with this war.
• Lodi’s army relied heavily on cavalry and especially on elephants, which in earlier times, could shock the enemy and rout them.
• However, this time around, the terrible sound of the gunfire excited the elephants so much that many of Lodi’s own men were trampled under their feet.

• A military genius and modern technology and warfare led to the defeat of Lodi’s nearly 50,000 troops at the hands of a mere 12000-strong army.

Major reason behind Babur’s Victory

The use of guns by troops of Babur helped them claim victory in the battle. The Lodi troops were lagging in terms of artillery skills and the sound emitted by canons frightened the war elephants of Lodi.

Babur had outstanding tactics in his favour more than the weapons, which helped him emerge victorious in the battle. The placement of troops as planned by Babur helped them defeat such a large force of Lodi.

Babur’s new tactics introduced during this first battle of Panipat were the Tulghuma and the Araba. Tulghuma referred to the division of the army into the left, right and centre units, whereas the Araba referred to carts used to launch cannon fire. This deadly combination was used by Babur dextrously to create havoc among Lodi’s troops.

Result of the Battle

The First Battle of Panipat resulted in the death of Ibrahim Lodi and also the end of Lodi Dynasty and the Delhi Sultanate in India. Also, with the end of the Sultanate, the Mughal rule began in India. 

Panipat, a part of modern-day Hariyana, has been a land of many important battles in the history of India and also the land that fought the maximum battles for rule over the Northern part of India. The Third Battle of Panipat was also one among the greatest battles fought in the history of the country.

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Battles of Panipat | 16 Nov 2020

First battle of panipat (1526).

• The First Battle of Panipat (21 April 1526) fought near a small village of Panipat( Haryana), this marked the beginning of Mughal Empire in India.
• The battle was fought between the invading forces of Zahir-ud-din Babur and the last empire of the Delhi Sultanate, Lodi Empire during the rule of Ibrahim Lodi .

The Military Force

• Babur’s forces numbered around 15,000 men with 20 to 24 pieces of field artillery.
• The fighting force of Ibrahim Lodi was around 30,000 to 40,000 men in total, along with at least 1000 war elephants.
• Moreover, the sound of the cannons used by Babur’s army frightened Lodi’s elephants, causing them to trample Lodi’s own men.

Babur’s Tactics

• The Left and Right divisions were further subdivided into Forward and Rear divisions.
• Through this a small army could be used to surround the enemy from all the sides.
• Araba: the centre forward division was then provided with carts (araba) which were placed in rows facing the enemy and tied to each other with animal hide ropes.
• Behind the Araba, cannons were placed which could be fired without any fear of being hit as they were shielded by the bullock carts which were held in place due to the hide ropes holding them together.
• The victory enabled Babur to lay the foundations for the Indian Mughal Empire.
• Most of them changed their allegiance to the new master of Delhi.
• However, the fate could have been turned in the favour of Sultan Ibrahim if he had survived another hour of fighting as Babur had no reserves left and his troops were rapidly tiring.

Note: This was one of the earliest battles involving gunpowder firearms and field artillery.

Second Battle of Panipat (1556)

• The Second Battle of Panipat was fought between the forces of Samrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya, popularly called Hemu , the Hindu king who was ruling North India from Delhi, and the army of Akbar , on November 5, 1556. It was a decisive victory for Akbar’s generals Khan Zaman I and Bairam Khan.
• Hemu belonged to Rewari in present day Haryana, who earlier was an adviser to Sher Shah Suri’s son Islam Shah from 1545 to 1553.
• He had won 22 battles, as Prime Minister and Chief of Army of Islam Shah, during 1553 to 1556 to quell the rebellion by Afghan rebels against Sur regime.
• On February 14, 1556, Akbar was enthroned as the king.
• At the time of his accession to the throne, the Mughal rule was confined to Kabul, Kandahar, parts of Delhi and Punjab.
• The 13 year old child King was not permitted to be present on the battlefield in person, instead he was provided with a special guard of 5000 well trained and most faithful troops and was stationed at a safe distance far behind the battle lines.
• The Mughal Vanguard consisted of 10,000 cavalry , out of which 5000 were experienced veteran soldiers and were ready to meet the advancing army of Hemu.
• Hemu marched in excellent order with 30,000 practiced horsemen composed of Rajputs and Afghans .
• The arrow passed his brain clean out from the cup of his head, and he became unconscious.
• Not seeing Hemu in his howdah (seat for riding on the back of a horse) , Hemu’s army was in disarray and defeated in the ensuing confusion.
• Several hours after the war ended, dead Hemu was located and captured by Shah Quli Khan Mahram and brought to Akbar’s tent in the camp in Panipat.
• Hemu’s supporters constructed a Cenotaph at the site of his beheading, which still exists at the village Saudhapur, on Jind Road at Panipat.

Third Battle of Panipat (1761)

• The Third Battle of Panipat took place on 14 January 1761, at Panipat, about 60 miles (95.5 km) north of Delhi between a northern expeditionary force of the Maratha Empire and the King of Afghanistan, Ahmad Shah Durrani with two Indian Muslim allies— the Rohilla Afghans of the Doab, and Shuja-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Oudh.

Military Force

• Ahmad Shah Durrani was also known as Ahmad Shah Abdali .
• The battle is considered one of the largest fought in the 18th century with the largest number of fatalities in a single day reported in a classic formation battle between two armies.
• Under Peshwa Baji Rao, Gujarat and Malwa came under Maratha control.
• Finally, in 1737, Baji Rao defeated the Mughals on the outskirts of Delhi, and brought much of the former Mughal territories south of Delhi under Maratha control.
• This brought the Marathas into direct confrontation with the Durrani empire of Ahmad Shah Abdali.
• He then joined with his Indian allies - the Rohilla Afghans of the Gangetic Doab - forming a broad coalition against the Marathas.

Role of Shuja-ud-Daulah

• By late July, Shuja-ud-Daulah made the decision to join the Afghan-Rohilla coalition, preferring to join what was perceived as the ‘army of Islam’.
• This was strategically a major loss for the Marathas, since Shuja provided much needed finances for the long Afghan stay in North India.
• It is doubtful whether the Afghan-Rohilla coalition would have the means to continue their conflict with the Marathas without Shuja’s support.

Cutting off the Supplies

• There followed a series of skirmishes along the banks of the river Yamuna, and a battle at Kunjpura, which the Marathas won against an Afghan garrison of about 15,000.
• This eventually turned into a two-month-long siege led by Abdali against the Marathas in the town of Panipat.
• During the siege both sides tried to cut off the other’s supplies at which the Afghans were considerably more effective; by the end of November 1760 they had cut off almost all food supplies into the besieged Maratha camp.
• Reports of soldiers dying of starvation began to be heard in early January.
• In a desperate attempt to break the siege, the Marathas left their camp to march towards the Afghan camp.
• Protracted skirmishes occurred, with losses and gains on both sides.
• The forces led by Ahmad Shah Durrani came out victorious after destroying several Maratha flanks.
• between 60,000–70,000 were killed in fighting
• the numbers of injured and prisoners taken vary considerably. about 40,000 Maratha prisoners were slaughtered in cold blood the day after the battle.
• This period of 10 years is marked by the rule of Peshwa Madhavrao, who is credited with the revival of Maratha domination following the defeat at Panipat.
• Re-establish the Maratha domination in North India
• Punish refractory powers that had either sided with the Afghans, such as the Rohillas, or had shaken off Maratha domination after Panipat.
• The success of this campaign can be seen as the last saga of the long story of Panipat.
• What stands out in all the three battles of Panipat is the fact that the dispute or the reason for war was never the city of Panipat.
• Historically, anyone from the North-West, who wanted to capture Delhi, had to come through the Khyber pass and then Punjab.

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• Indian History /

Who Won The First Battle Of Panipat?

• Updated on  
• Apr 6, 2024

The first battle of Panipat was fought on 21st April 1526. It was fought between the forces of the Mughal Emperor Babur and the Sultan of Delhi, Ibrahim Lodhi. It was fought on the plains of Panipat now Haryana in India. Indian history has witnessed three Battles of Panipat in total. Babur, a descendant of Genghis Khan and Timur, was determined to establish his rule in India, while Ibrahim Lodhi wanted to defend his kingdom from the invaders. In this blog, we will get to know who won the first battle of Panipat.

Historical Context

• Babur : Babur was a skilled military strategist and ruler. He led the Mughal forces in the battle. He deployed nearly 12,000-25,000 infantry and 15-24 artillery cannons and mounted heavy archers on the battleground. 
• Ibrahim Khan Lodi : Ibrahim Lodi was the Sultan of Delhi and belonged to the Lodi Dynasty , who allied with Vikramaditya, the ruler of the Gwalior Tomara Dynasty. He deployed nearly 30,000 infantry with 40,000 irregular and regular cavalry. 

Also Read – Complete Mughal Empire List: An Overview

Circumstances of the First Battle of Panipat

• Babur marched towards Delhi with battle strategies like Tulughma and Aaraba, the Ottoman tactics of war. 
• Babur’s use of artillery and firearms proved to be crucial in defeating Ibrahim Lodhi’s army, which was primarily composed of cavalry.
• He outmaneuvered Lodi with his tactics and Lodi was left alone on the battleground with only a handful army. 
• In his attempt to escape he was killed, resulting in the defeat of the Delhi Sultanate.
• Babur’s victory established the Mughals as a dominant force in the region and led the way for the subsequent expansion of the empire.

With the First Battle of Panipat, the Mughal Empire came to India and ruled for approximately 331 years from 1526-1857. The battle had a far-reaching consequence in the change of thrones in the Indian subcontinent.

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That’s all about who won the first battle of Panipat. If you want to read more articles like this, you can get Study notes on the Modern History of India here. Also, you can visit our general knowledge page on Indian History !

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Guest Essay

How Trump’s Team Blew It

By Renato Mariotti

Mr. Mariotti, a partner at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner in Chicago, is a former federal prosecutor.

The criminal trial of Donald Trump didn’t have to end this way.

The prosecution’s case had flaws that couldn’t be wallpapered over even with weeks of testimony, over 200 exhibits and a polished and persuasive presentation by Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, and his team. If Mr. Trump’s lawyers had played their cards right, they most likely would have ended up with a hung jury or a misdemeanor conviction.

The defense lost a winnable case by adopting an ill-advised strategy that was right out of Mr. Trump’s playbook. For years, he denied everything and attacked anyone who dared to take him on. It worked — until this case.

I have practiced criminal law for over 20 years, and I have tried and won cases as both a federal prosecutor and criminal defense attorney. I’ve almost never seen the defense win without a compelling counternarrative. Jurors often want to side with prosecutors, who have the advantage of writing the indictment, marshaling the witnesses and telling the story.

The defense needs its own story, and in my experience, the side that tells the simpler story at trial usually wins.

Instead of telling a simple story, Mr. Trump’s defense was a haphazard cacophony of denials and personal attacks. That may work for a Trump rally or a segment on Fox News, but it doesn’t work in a courtroom. Perhaps Mr. Trump’s team was also pursuing a political or press strategy, but it certainly wasn’t a good legal strategy. The powerful defense available to Mr. Trump’s attorneys was lost amid all the clutter.

At the beginning of the trial, Mr. Trump’s team had a clear path to victory. He was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records related to the cover-up of a $130,000 hush-money payment that was made to the porn star Stormy Daniels. Yet the only direct evidence of Mr. Trump’s knowledge was the testimony of Michael Cohen — who has pleaded guilty to lying to Congress and charges of bank fraud, tax evasion and campaign finance violation — who hates Mr. Trump and makes money off his public commentary on Mr. Trump’s legal woes.

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