The First Battle of Panipat, on 21 April 1526, was fought between the invading forces

of Babur and the Lodi dynasty. It took place in north India and marked the beginning of
the Mughal Empire and the end of the Delhi Sultanate. This was one of the earliest battles
involving gunpowder firearms and field artillery in the Indian subcontinent which were introduced
by Mughals in this battle.[5]

The battle of Panipat between the armies of Babur and Ibrahim Lodi (1526). Babur was invited by Daulat
Khan Lodi to enter India and defeat Ibrahim Lodi.[6] An illustration to the Vaqi 'at-i Baburi, by Deo Gujarati, c.
1590

Contents

 1Background

 2Battle

o 2.1Advantage of cannons in the battle

o 2.2Tactics

 3Aftermath

 4See also

 5References

 6Sources
Background[edit]
After losing Samarkand for the second time, Babur gave attention to conquer India as he
reached the banks of the Chenab in 1519.[7] Until 1524, his aim was to only expand his rule
to Punjab, mainly to fulfil his ancestor Timur's legacy, since it used to be part of his empire.[8] At
that time, parts of north India were under the rule of Ibrahim Lodi of the Lodi dynasty, but the
empire was crumbling and there were many defectors. He received invitations from Daulat Khan
Lodi, Governor of Punjab and Ala-ud-Din, uncle of Ibrahim. [9] He sent an ambassador to Ibrahim,
asking him to get punished by him and he is rightful to the throne of the country, however, the
ambassador was detained at Lahore and released months later.[7]
Babur started for Lahore, Punjab, in 1524 but found that Daulat Khan Lodi had been driven out
by forces sent by Ibrahim Lodi.[10] When Babur arrived at Lahore, the Lodi army marched out and
was routed.[10] In response, Babur burned and punished the people of Lahore for two days, then
marched to Dipalpur, placing Alam Khan, another rebel uncle of Lodi's, as governor. Alam Khan
was quickly overthrown and fled to Kabul. In response, Babur supplied Alam Khan with troops
who later joined up with Daulat Khan Lodi and together with about 30,000 troops, they besieged
Ibrahim Lodi at Delhi.[11] He defeated them and drove Alam's army off, and Babur realised Lodi
would not allow him to occupy the Punjab.[11]

Battle[edit]
Hearing of the size of Ibrahim's army, Babur secured his right flank against the city of Panipat,
while digging a trench covered with tree branches to secure his left flanks. In the centre, he
placed 700 carts tied together with ropes. Between every two carts, there were breastworks for
his matchlock men. Babur also ensured there [12]
When Ibrahim's army arrived, he found the approach to Babur's army too narrow to attack. While
Ibrahim redeployed his forces to allow for the narrower front, Babur quickly took advantage of the
situation to flank (tulghuma) the Lodi army.[2] Many of Ibrahim's troops were unable to get into
action, and fled when the battle turned against Ibrahim. [13] Faced with musket fire, cannon fire and
cavalry attacks from all sides, Ibrahim Lodi fought and died with 20,000 of his remaining troops. [2]

Advantage of cannons in the battle[edit]

Babur's guns proved decisive in battle, firstly because Ibrahim lacked any field artillery, but also
because the sound of the cannon frightened Ibrahim's elephants, causing them to trample his
own men.[1]

Tactics[edit]
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Babur introduced field guns at Panipat, 1526

Tactics used by Babur were the tulguhma and the araba. Tulguhma meant dividing the whole
army into various units, viz. the Left, the Right and the Centre. The Left and Right divisions were
further subdivided into Forward and Rear divisions. Through this, a small army could be used to
surround the enemy from all sides. The Centre Forward division was then provided with carts
(araba) which were placed in rows facing the enemy and tied to each other with animal hide
ropes. Behind them were placed cannons protected and supported by mantlets which could be
used to easily manoeuvre the cannons. These two tactics made Babur's artillery lethal. The
cannons could be fired without any fear of being hit, as they were shielded by the bullock carts
held in place by hide ropes. The heavy cannons could also be easily traversed onto new targets,
as they could be manoeuvred by the mantlets which were on wheels.