Early Invasions of Babur in India

The early invasions of Babur in India represent a crucial prelude to the establishment of the Mughal Empire in the Indian subcontinent. Between 1519 and 1526, Babur, a Timurid prince from Central Asia, undertook a series of incursions into north-western India that ultimately culminated in his decisive victory at the Battle of Panipat (1526). These invasions not only reflect Babur’s ambition to establish a stable dominion but also reveal the political fragmentation of India on the eve of Mughal ascendancy.

Background of Babur and His Early Ambitions

Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur, born in 1483 in Fergana (modern Uzbekistan), was a descendant of Timur (Tamerlane) on his father’s side and Genghis Khan on his mother’s. After losing his ancestral kingdom of Fergana, Babur sought to consolidate power in Central Asia, capturing Samarqand briefly before being driven out by the Uzbeks under Shaibani Khan.
Forced to turn his attention southwards, Babur conquered Kabul in 1504, establishing a strategic base that provided him with access to India through the Khyber Pass. Kabul’s possession not only offered political stability but also served as a springboard for his future campaigns in the Indian subcontinent.
Babur’s desire to invade India stemmed from several factors:

• Historical ambition: As a Timurid, he viewed himself as the heir to Timur’s conquests, which included parts of northern India.
• Political necessity: Repeated failures in Central Asia compelled him to seek fresh territories for expansion.
• Economic motives: India’s wealth and fertile plains offered a more sustainable empire than the turbulent and arid regions of Central Asia.
• Weakness of Indian rulers: The disunity of North Indian powers, particularly the decline of the Delhi Sultanate under the Lodi dynasty, created a favourable opportunity for invasion.

The First Invasion (1519): The Bajaur and Bhera Expedition

Babur’s first expedition into India took place in 1519. He crossed the Indus River near Attock and attacked the tribal stronghold of Bajaur, located in present-day Pakistan. The Bajauris, an Afghan tribe, were known for their resistance, but Babur’s forces captured and destroyed their fort. This campaign was marked by extreme severity, as Babur aimed to establish his authority and set an example for other frontier tribes.
After the conquest of Bajaur, Babur marched towards Bhera, a key town on the Jhelum River in the Punjab region. The local governor surrendered without resistance, acknowledging Babur’s supremacy. Although Babur did not advance deeper into India on this occasion, this invasion marked the beginning of his systematic interest in the region.

The Second Invasion (1519–1520): Skirmishes in the Punjab

In the same year, Babur led another incursion into the Punjab, this time advancing as far as Sialkot and Sayyidpur (Eminabad). These were reconnaissance expeditions intended to gauge the political and military situation in northern India.
However, Babur soon faced logistical difficulties and internal revolts in his Afghan territories, compelling him to return to Kabul. Nonetheless, these preliminary invasions gave him valuable intelligence on the geography, defences, and political divisions of the region.

The Third Invasion (1520–1523): The Campaign against the Afghans and the Capture of Lahore

Babur’s third and fourth invasions occurred between 1520 and 1523 and were directed primarily against the Afghan chieftains who dominated the Punjab. During this period, the Lodi dynasty was weakening under Sultan Ibrahim Lodi, whose despotic rule had alienated his nobles.

• In 1520, Babur subdued the Ghakhar tribes of the Salt Range, strengthening his control over the approaches to India.
• In 1521, he besieged and captured Lahore, an important strategic and commercial centre. The city’s fall marked the beginning of Mughal territorial expansion in India.
• Babur also occupied Dipalpore, securing his hold over western Punjab.

After consolidating his power in these areas, Babur appointed local governors to maintain order and returned to Kabul to prepare for a larger and more decisive campaign.

The Fourth Invasion (1524): Involvement in the Politics of the Lodi Dynasty

By 1524, the internal discontent within the Delhi Sultanate offered Babur a direct opportunity for intervention. Daulat Khan Lodi, the Governor of Lahore, and Ala-ud-din Lodi, a relative of Sultan Ibrahim Lodi, invited Babur to invade India and overthrow the Sultan.
Responding to their appeal, Babur marched again into Punjab, capturing Lahore and Sialkot. However, after his temporary success, Daulat Khan Lodi’s loyalty wavered, and Babur was forced to withdraw. Despite this setback, Babur now had a clearer picture of the political disunity that plagued northern India.

The Fifth Invasion (1525–1526): The Final March to Panipat

Babur’s fifth and final invasion was launched in November 1525, marking the culmination of his earlier efforts. With an army of about 12,000 men, including a formidable artillery unit commanded by Ustad Ali Quli, Babur crossed the Indus and advanced through Punjab.
By early 1526, he reached Panipat, where Sultan Ibrahim Lodi awaited him with an army estimated at over 100,000 soldiers and 1,000 war elephants. Despite being outnumbered, Babur employed superior tactics, using field fortifications, flanking manoeuvres, and gunpowder artillery—techniques rarely seen in Indian warfare at the time.
On 21 April 1526, the Battle of Panipat resulted in a decisive victory for Babur. Ibrahim Lodi was killed in battle, and his army was routed. This victory not only destroyed the Lodi dynasty but also laid the foundation of the Mughal Empire in India.

Characteristics of Babur’s Military Strategy

Babur’s early invasions demonstrated several key features of his military skill and leadership:

• Effective use of artillery: His introduction of gunpowder weapons in Indian warfare marked a turning point in subcontinental military history.
• Mobile cavalry tactics: Babur’s Central Asian horsemen, trained in rapid manoeuvres and encirclement, proved far more flexible than traditional Indian forces.
• Strategic fortifications: At Panipat, Babur’s use of carts tied with rawhide ropes as defensive barriers was inspired by Ottoman tactics.
• Diplomatic pragmatism: He forged temporary alliances with local chiefs and Afghan leaders to secure his rear before advancing deeper into India.

Significance of Babur’s Early Invasions

The early invasions of Babur were significant not only for their immediate military outcomes but also for their long-term consequences:

• They weakened Afghan and regional resistance in Punjab, paving the way for the establishment of Mughal authority.
• They exposed the political fragmentation and military obsolescence of the Indian states, particularly the Lodi Sultanate.
• They introduced modern warfare techniques, including the use of artillery and disciplined infantry formations.
• They enabled Babur to transform from a wandering Timurid prince into the founder of a new imperial dynasty in India.