On this day, in the year 1526, the First Battle of Panipat was fought between the Lodi Empire and the invading forces of Babur to establish the Mughal Empire in India. At the time, Mughal forces led by a Timurid ruler of Kabul, Babur, were invading India. The Delhi Sultanate was ruled by the Afghan Lodi dynasty.
In the year 1526, on April 21, a fierce battle was fought between the ruling power Lodi dynasty led by Ibrahim Lodi and Babur near a small village (present day) Panipat, in Haryana.
The battle is credited as the first battle that introduced the use of gunpowder and field artillery. Since Lodi’s army was largely dependent on cavalry, Babur’s military genius and modern technology led to the defeat of their enemy.
It is estimated that Babur’s army of 12,000 men defeated nearly 50,000 army troops led by Lodi. It is believed that the sound of cannons frightened the war elephants on Lodi’s side and crushed their own men.
Babur used modern war tactics and introduced the deadly combination of Tulghuma and Araba. Tulghuma meant the division of the army into the left, right and center unit, while Araba referred to the carts used to fire cannon fire.
Ibrahim Lodi died on the field and Babur emerged victorious from the First Battle of Panipat. It is believed that if Ibrahim had lived another hour, the Mughals might have lost the battle because Babur had minimal reserves left. This marked the end of the Lodi dynasty or the Delhi sultanate and established Mughal rule in northern India.
The country of Panipat has witnessed many great battles in the history of India. It is also the country where maximum battles were fought to conquer the northern part of India.
Read all the latest news, breaking news and IPL 2022 Live Updates here.
