The beginning of the Mughal Empire in India started after the defeat of which ruler?

The beginning of the Mughal Empire in India officially started after the defeat of Ibrahim Lodhi, the last ruler of the Lodhi dynasty, by Zahir-ud-Din Muhammad Babur in 1526. This decisive battle, known as the First Battle of Panipat, took place near the historic town of Panipat, located in present-day Haryana, India. It marked one of the most significant turning points in Indian history, as it ended the Delhi Sultanate and laid the foundation of Mughal rule, which would last for over three centuries.

Ibrahim Lodhi, who ascended the throne of the Delhi Sultanate in 1517, faced several internal revolts and political instability. His authoritarian nature and conflicts with Afghan nobles weakened his power, creating an opportunity for Babur, a descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan, to invade India. Babur, who ruled from Kabul, had long aspired to establish a strong empire in the Indian subcontinent. Equipped with advanced military techniques, including artillery and gunpowder, Babur’s forces decisively defeated Ibrahim Lodhi’s massive army of over 100,000 soldiers and 1,000 war elephants.

The victory at Panipat not only brought Babur control over Delhi and Agra but also symbolized the dawn of a new era—the Mughal Empire, known for its rich culture, architectural marvels, and administrative excellence. The Mughal dynasty would later produce great rulers like Akbar the Great, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb, shaping the social, political, and cultural fabric of India.

For students preparing for General Knowledge MCQs and Indian history exams, it is crucial to remember that Babur’s defeat of Ibrahim Lodhi in 1526 marked the true beginning of the Mughal Empire in India—a monumental event that changed the course of South Asian history.