Question

The first battle of Panipat

Answer 1

Answer: 1526( Baber and Ibrahim Lodhi)

Explanation:

The first battle of Panipat was fought on April 21, 1526, marking a turning point in Indian history. This historic battle was fought between Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, and Ibrahim Lodhi, the last Sultan of the Delhi Sultanate from the Lodhi dynasty.

Babur, a descendant of both Timur and Genghis Khan, had been seeking to establish his empire in India after facing difficulties in Central Asia. He invaded India several times before finally achieving success at Panipat. Ibrahim Lodhi, on the other hand, was ruling the Delhi Sultanate but faced internal rebellions and weak administrative control over his empire.

The battle was significant for several reasons. Babur's army, though smaller in number, was equipped with superior military technology including cannons and matchlocks, which were relatively new to Indian warfare. He also employed the innovative military strategy called "Tulghma," which involved dividing his army into flanking units to encircle the enemy.

Ibrahim Lodhi's forces were much larger, estimated to be around 100,000 soldiers with about 1,000 war elephants, while Babur had only about 12,000-15,000 troops. However, the Delhi Sultan's army lacked coordination and modern weaponry. The sound of Babur's cannons frightened the war elephants, causing them to trample their own soldiers and create chaos in Lodhi's ranks.

The battle resulted in a decisive victory for Babur. Ibrahim Lodhi was killed in the battle, becoming one of the few Indian rulers to die fighting on the battlefield. This victory established the foundation of the Mughal Empire in India, which would go on to rule large parts of the Indian subcontinent for the next three centuries.

The location of Panipat, in present-day Haryana, was strategically important as it controlled the route to Delhi. After his victory, Babur marched to Delhi and Agra, establishing Mughal rule over northern India. This battle essentially ended the Delhi Sultanate and began a new chapter in Indian history under Mughal administration, which would bring significant changes in art, architecture, culture, and governance to the Indian subcontinent.