Battle of Khanwa
In 1524, Babur aimed to expand his rule into Punjab to fulfill the legacy of his ancestor Timur. Large parts of north India were under Ibrahim Lodi of the Lodi dynasty, but the empire faced severe turmoil and many defectors. Babur had already raided Punjab in 1504 and 1518. In 1519 he tried to invade Punjab but returned to Kabul due to complications there. During 1520, 21, Babur ventured again to conquer Punjab and easily captured Bhira and Sialkot. These towns were known as the twin gateways to Hindustan. Babur annexed towns and cities up to Lahore but stopped due to rebellions in Qandhar. In 1523, Alam Khan Lodi invited Babur to invade the Delhi Sultanate. Alam personally visited Babur's court to explain the political situation of India. Babur agreed after sending nobles to scout Punjab. The nobles approved the plan to invade India. However, arguments arose between the Mughals and the Lodi rebels. Alam demanded that Babur give him Delhi after conquest since he was instrumental in inviting the Mughals. Babur refused, so Alam besieged Delhi alone and lost to Ibrahim Lodi. Daulat Khan betrayed Babur with a force of 40,000 men and captured Sialkot from the Mughal garrison. He marched toward Lahore but was soundly defeated at Lahore. Through this victory, Babur became the unopposed lord of Punjab.
According to Jadunath Sarkar, Babur did not need an invitation to invade Hindustan. After establishing himself in Kabul, Babur began raids into Punjab governed by Daulat Khan Lodi. Daulat was faithless to his master and courted Babur hoping to become independent. Babur crushed him and seized Punjab for himself. Indologist Gopinath Sharma rejected the theory that Rana Sanga sent an ambassador to Babur. Sharma provided factual contemporary evidence showing Sanga had already established himself as the most powerful Hindu king of Northern India. Babur was yet to establish his reputation in India. Under those circumstances, it was in Babur's interest to seek an alliance with perhaps his greatest enemy. Sanga was praised by Babur as one of the five great rulers in India along with Krishnadevaraya of Vijaynagar empire. In early 1527, Babur started receiving reports of Sanga's advance towards Agra. Sanga called his Rajput vassals to war and more than 120 chieftains from various parts of northern India responded. Mahmud Lodi, the younger son of Sikandar Lodi, joined Sangram with a contingent of Afghan horsemen. Khanzada Hasan Khan Mewati also joined the alliance with his men. Babur denounced the Afghans who joined the alliance against him as kafirs and murtads.
After the First Battle of Panipat, Babur recognized that his primary threat came from two allied quarters: Rana Sanga and the Afghans ruling eastern India. In a council, it was decided that the Afghans represented the bigger threat. Humayun was sent at the head of an army to fight the Afghans in the east. Upon hearing of Rana Sanga's advancement on Agra, Humayun was hastily recalled. Some medieval texts put Babur's strength about 80,000 men. According to historian Har Bilas Sarda, Rana Sanga had more than 110,000 soldiers under him including 10,000 adventurers from Mahmud Lodi. Military detachments were then sent by Babur to conquer Dholpur, Gwalior, and Bayana. These areas formed part of Sanga's territories. However, Sanga quickly responded and the force sent by Babur to Bayana was defeated at the Battle of Bayana. Gwalior and other places were wrested back. William Erskine quotes that Rana Sanga had defeated the Mughal contingents sent against him. This caused great fear in Babur's army as he wrote that the fierceness and valour of the pagan army made troops anxious and afraid. The Afghans in Babur's army started leaving while Turks complained about defending land they hated.
Rana Sanga after capturing Bayana moved north-east and took Bhusawar thus cutting Babur's supply line from Delhi and Kabul. His strategy was simple as by capturing Bayana and then Bhusawar he cut off Babur's supplies while making his own preparations. He forced Babur to discuss peace-overtures which proposed setting Bayana as the boundary between themselves. Acting upon advice of his chiefs, Babur rejected it. On battle day, Sangram placed trusted chiefs on center and others on respective right and left. He thought of throwing bulk of his army to enemy lines fighting head to head where Rajput cavalry was unmatched. Babur knew his army would have been swept by Rajput charge if he tried to fight them in open. He planned a defensive strategy to form fortified encampment using muskets and artillery to weaken foes before striking when morale shattered. Babur carefully inspected site and strengthened front by procuring carts fastened by iron chains reinforced by mantlets. Gaps between carts were used for horsemen to charge at opponent opportune time. Ropes made of rawhide were placed over wheeled wooden tripods to lengthen line. Flanks received protection by digging ditches. Foot-musketeers, falconets and mortars were placed behind carts firing and advancing if required. Heavy Turk horsemen stood behind them with two contingents of elite horsemen kept in reserve for taulqama flanking tactic.
Sanga taken away from battlefield in unconscious state by Prithviraj Kachwaha and Maldev Rathore of Marwar. After regaining consciousness he took oath not return to Chittor until defeating Babur and ousting him. He stopped wearing turban and instead chose wrap cloth over head. While preparing wage another war against Babur, he poisoned by own nobles who did not want another conflict with Babur. He died in Kalpi in January 1528. It suggested that had it not been for cannon and superior tactics of Babur, Rana Sanga might have achieved historic victory against Babur. Pradeep Barua notes that Babur's cannon put end to outdated trends in Indian warfare. After battle Babur made pyramid using heads of enemies. However wrong to suppose Rajput power crushed forever. Power vacuum left by Rana Sanga filled by Rao Maldeo Rathore. He took role as leading Rajput king and dominated time period after Sanga's death. Following this Babur ordered tower of enemy skulls erected practice formulated by Timur. According to Chandra objective constructing tower of skulls not just record great victory but also terrorize opponents.
Common questions
Who won the Battle of Khanwa in 1527?
Babur and the Mughal Empire defeated Rana Sanga and the Kingdom of Mewar at the Battle of Khanwa. Babur utilized muskets, artillery, and fortified encampments to counter Rajput cavalry charges.
When did the Battle of Khanwa take place?
The battle occurred in early 1527 when reports reached Babur that Rana Sanga was advancing towards Agra. Rana Sanga died in Kalpi in January 1528 after being poisoned by his own nobles.
Where was the Battle of Khanwa fought?
Rana Sanga moved north-east from Bayana to Bhusawar to cut off Babur's supply lines before engaging near Agra. The site was chosen by Babur who strengthened the front with carts fastened by iron chains reinforced by mantlets.
Why did Babur win the Battle of Khanwa against Rana Sanga?
Babur employed a defensive strategy using muskets, falconets, mortars, and wheeled wooden tripods to weaken enemy forces. Pradeep Barua notes that Babur's cannon put an end to outdated trends in Indian warfare which allowed him to defeat the larger army.
How many soldiers were at the Battle of Khanwa?
Some medieval texts estimate Babur's strength at about 80,000 men while historian Har Bilas Sarda claims Rana Sanga had more than 110,000 soldiers including 10,000 adventurers from Mahmud Lodi. More than 120 chieftains from various parts of northern India responded to Sanga's call for war.