MCQ Detailed View

The battle that changed the course of Indian history in the early 16th century took place in 1526, between Babur and the Sultan of Delhi, Ibrahim Lodhi. This clash resulted in the end of the Delhi Sultanate and the foundation of the Mughal Empire in the Indian subcontinent. Babur, who hailed from Central Asia and was a descendant of both Timur and Genghis Khan, led a well-disciplined army into northern India, equipped with superior tactics and technology.

This particular battle was one of the first in the Indian subcontinent to use gunpowder firearms and field artillery effectively. Babur use of cannons gave him a major strategic advantage. His army, though smaller in number compared to Ibrahim Lodhi large elephant-led forces, was better organized and tactically superior.

Key facts about the battle:

• Year: 1526


• Location: Near the town of Panipat, in present-day Haryana, India


• Babur army strength: Around 12,000 soldiers


• Ibrahim Lodhi army strength: Over 100,000 soldiers and 1,000 war elephants


• Technology used: Gunpowder, cannons, matchlocks


• Outcome: End of the Lodhi Dynasty and the start of the Mughal Empire

The victory not only gave Babur control over Delhi but also allowed him to lay the foundation of one of the most powerful empires in Indian history. The tactics he employed, particularly the tulughma (division of the army into various flanks), were instrumental in defeating the much larger Lodhi force. His win is often studied by historians as a turning point that introduced Central Asian military innovations to the Indian battlefield.

This battle demonstrated the power of strategy, discipline, and innovation over sheer numbers. The legacy of this battle continued through the rise of a rich cultural and architectural era under the Mughal rulers that followed.