First Battle of Panipat

The First Battle of Panipat, fought on 20 April 1526, marked one of the most decisive conflicts in Indian history. It was the battle that established Mughal rule in India by defeating the last ruler of the Lodi dynasty, Sultan Ibrahim Lodi, and brought Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur, founder of the Mughal Empire, to the throne of Delhi. This battle introduced new military techniques, such as the use of gunpowder, artillery, and field fortifications, which permanently transformed the nature of warfare in the Indian subcontinent.

Historical Background

During the early 16th century, North India was fragmented under several regional powers. The Delhi Sultanate, once the dominant authority, had weakened considerably under the Lodi dynasty (1451–1526). Sultan Ibrahim Lodi, who ascended the throne in 1517, was unpopular among his nobles due to his harsh administration and attempts to centralise authority. Several Afghan nobles and governors, including Daulat Khan Lodi, the governor of Punjab, and Ala-ud-din Lodi, Ibrahim’s uncle, revolted against him.
At the same time, Babur, a Central Asian ruler descended from Timur on his father’s side and Genghis Khan on his mother’s, was seeking to expand his dominion after being driven out of his ancestral lands in Fergana and Samarkand (modern-day Uzbekistan). Having already captured Kabul in 1504, Babur had long cherished the ambition of conquering Hindustan, a land known for its wealth and fertile plains.
When Daulat Khan Lodi invited Babur to invade India and challenge Ibrahim’s authority, Babur saw the opportunity to fulfil his long-standing aspirations. He crossed the Indus River in 1525 with a well-trained army and advanced toward the heart of the Lodi Empire.

Opposing Forces

The two armies that met at Panipat, a plain near modern-day Haryana, were vastly different in composition, size, and tactics.

• Babur’s ArmyBabur commanded an army of about 12,000 to 15,000 soldiers, including cavalry, infantry, and artillery units. His forces also included seasoned warriors from Central Asia and Afghanistan, trained in the use of matchlock guns (tufang) and cannons (zamburaks). His key commanders included Humayun, Ustad Ali Quli, and Mustafa Rumi Khan—artillery experts who were instrumental in devising new tactical formations.
• Ibrahim Lodi’s ArmyIbrahim Lodi led a massive force estimated at 40,000 to 100,000 men, supported by around 1,000 war elephants. Despite its numerical superiority, the Lodi army lacked coordination, modern weaponry, and experienced leadership. Ibrahim relied heavily on traditional Afghan cavalry and elephant corps, which were ill-suited to face Babur’s disciplined and strategically advanced troops.

Location and Strategic Importance

Panipat, located approximately 90 kilometres north of Delhi, had long been a traditional battleground due to its open plains, proximity to the capital, and accessibility from the north-western frontier. Its geography favoured large-scale deployments and manoeuvres, making it a natural site for decisive confrontations in Indian history.

Battle Tactics and Formation

Babur’s military genius lay in his strategic innovation and adaptability. Before the battle, he implemented the Tulughma and Araba systems, combining mobility with defensive strength.

• Tulughma (Encircling Tactic): Babur divided his army into distinct units—left wing, right wing, centre, and reserves. The flanks were trained to outflank and encircle the enemy during combat.
• Araba (Cart Formation): He fortified his front line using carts tied together with rawhide ropes, creating barriers for artillery placement. Spaces between the carts allowed cavalry to move freely and attack when needed.

Behind these fortifications, Babur positioned his matchlockmen and cannons, allowing them to fire continuously while being shielded from direct attack. His troops were also strategically positioned to execute swift cavalry movements—a style of warfare adapted from Central Asian traditions.

Course of the Battle

On 20 April 1526, the battle commenced at dawn. Ibrahim Lodi’s massive force advanced toward Babur’s fortified lines, expecting to overwhelm his smaller army. However, Babur’s artillery opened fire, producing devastating noise and smoke unfamiliar to the Lodi troops and elephants, causing panic and confusion within their ranks.
Babur’s flanking cavalry executed the Tulughma manoeuvre, attacking the sides and rear of the Lodi army while the artillery continued its relentless bombardment. The Afghan forces, caught between disarray and the advancing Mughals, began to crumble under pressure.
Despite his courage, Ibrahim Lodi was surrounded and killed on the battlefield, along with thousands of his men. The combat lasted only a few hours but ended decisively in Babur’s favour. Contemporary accounts suggest that around 15,000–20,000 soldiers of the Lodi army were slain.

Reasons for Babur’s Victory

Babur’s triumph at Panipat can be attributed to several key factors:

• Superior Tactics and Organisation: His strategic use of artillery, mobility, and formation outmatched the traditional frontal assaults of Ibrahim’s army.
• Effective Use of Gunpowder: The use of cannons and matchlocks created psychological terror and disrupted the enemy’s formations.
• Leadership and Discipline: Babur’s leadership, training, and discipline among his troops contrasted sharply with the disorganisation and factionalism in Ibrahim’s ranks.
• Weakness of the Lodi Command: Ibrahim’s lack of experience, overconfidence, and inability to inspire loyalty among his nobles further weakened his cause.

Consequences of the Battle

The First Battle of Panipat had far-reaching consequences for Indian history, signalling the end of one era and the beginning of another.

1. Establishment of the Mughal Empire: Babur’s victory laid the foundation for over three centuries of Mughal rule in India, which profoundly influenced the subcontinent’s political, cultural, and architectural landscape.
2. End of the Delhi Sultanate: The Lodi dynasty’s fall marked the end of the Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526), which had ruled much of North India under successive Turkish and Afghan dynasties.
3. Introduction of Gunpowder Warfare: The battle demonstrated the decisive effectiveness of artillery and firearms, transforming Indian military strategy. It heralded the age of modern warfare in South Asia, where traditional elephant and cavalry tactics gradually became obsolete.
4. Consolidation of Babur’s Power: Following his victory, Babur captured Delhi and Agra, taking possession of the treasures of the Lodi Sultanate. He declared himself the Padishah (Emperor) of Hindustan and began the process of consolidating his authority.
5. Socio-Political Transition: Babur’s victory brought Central Asian influences into India, laying the groundwork for a Persianised Indo-Islamic culture that flourished under later Mughal rulers like Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan.

Babur’s Reflections on the Battle

In his autobiography, the Baburnama, Babur described the Battle of Panipat in detail, emphasising the discipline, morale, and courage of his soldiers. He also credited divine will and strategic innovation for his success. The victory fulfilled his long-cherished dream of conquering Hindustan and establishing a lasting empire.
Babur, however, faced challenges in consolidating control over his new territories, as several Afghan chiefs and Rajput rulers resisted his authority. His subsequent victories at Khanwa (1527) and Ghagra (1529) further secured Mughal dominance in North India.

Historical Significance

The First Battle of Panipat occupies a pivotal place in South Asian history for several reasons:

• It marked the beginning of Mughal rule, which would last until the mid-19th century.
• It introduced new military technology and organisation that permanently altered the subcontinent’s warfare.
• It represented the decline of medieval Indian political structures and the emergence of a more centralised imperial state.