Babur: The Founder of the Mughal Empire

 

BABUR

This is the story of the man who established the Mughal dynasty. This is none other than Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur. Babur was born in Farghana, a small principality in Central Asia. Babur was a descendant of Amir Timur and Genghis Khan. He lost his father when he was only eleven years old and became the ruler of Farghana. Babur had to struggle hard to maintain control over his possessions.  Though he soon lost Farghana to his enemies, he succeeded in capturing Kabul.

Babur himself tells in his autobiography that he had a special liking for Kabul. He writes, “The climate is extremely delightful and there is no such place in the known world. He sighed for the hills of Farghana, the blue domes and minars of Samarkhand and the flowers of Kabul.”

At this time in the beginning of the 16th century, India was divided into numerous small kingdoms ruled by independent kings. This gave ambitious Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur a golden chance to conquer India.

Now, Daulat Khan and Rana Sanga of Mewar thought that Babur, whom they had invited to India, would raid this area and return to Kabul with the loot. Surprisingly, that didn’t happen! Babur occupied parts of Punjab. This made Daulat Khan and Rana Sangha turn against him. Friends turned to foes. Babur defeated Daulat Khan and marched towards Delhi. Thus started Babur’s conquest of India.

Babur and Ibrahim Lodhi (of the Delhi Sultanate’s Lodhi Dynasty) came face to face at the First Battle of Panipat in AD 1526. Ibrahim Lodhi’s large army was no match for Babur’s small yet disciplined and loyal army with its excellent cavalry and fine artillery. Ibrahim Lodhi was killed and his army was routed in battle.

It is fascinating to know what helped Babur defeat such a mighty army. Babur used cannons in warfare for the first time in India. The long practiced enveloping tactics of the Central Asian cavalry proved highly effective against a large unwieldy army of 8,000 cavalry and 500 war elephants. After defeating Ibrahim Lodhi, Babur decided to stay back in India. The Battle of Panipat was the first among many battles that Babur had to win before he could lay claim to sovereign authority.

Two weeks after the Battle of Panipat the victorious Babur entered Agra where he was presented with the famous Kohinoor Diamond. Babur celebrated his victory in a lavish manner. Babur observes in his autobiography about the battle: “The mighty army of Delhi was laid in the dust in the course of half a day.”

Babur then turned his interest to Delhi. He conquered Delhi and Agra. This angered Rana Sangha. He led an army against Babur. Babur had to face the powerful army of the Rajputs under Rana Sanga. Thus, his position became more secure in Delhi and Agra regions. Babur further strengthened his position by conquering Gwalior, Dholpur and some other areas.

Babur then turned his attention towards the Afghan chiefs on the banks of River Ghaghra in AD 1529. This is known as the Battle of Ghaghra. In  AD 1530, Babur became the master of Punjab, Delhi, Agra and the Gangetic Plains as far as Bihar.

Babur was not only a brilliant general, but also had the qualities of a great leader. He was well read and could write in Turkish as well as Persian. He wrote the Tuzuk-i-Baburi or the Baburnama, which is an autobiography. It provides information on his character, achievements and the life of the times. He loved nature and laid down a number of gardens in Kabul and India. He loved music and enjoyed playing polo. He was also a great swimmer and a superb horseman. But Babur did not live long. After a reign of about four years, he died in AD 1530, when he was just 48 years old. In keeping with his wishes, he was buried in Kabul.

Some historians narrate an interesting anecdote regarding Babur’s death. When his son Humayun fell ill, Babur prayed to God and asked for his son’s disease to be transferred to him. As Humayun recovered, Babur’s health gradually deteriorated leading to his death. Abul Fazl writes that “Babur died as the result of the sacrifice he performed for his son.” However, some modern writers argue that there is no reason to believe the fantasy told by Abul Fazl. 

Babur’s invasion of India led to the establishment of the Mughal Empire. After the death of Babur, his son Nasiruddin Muhammad Humayun took up the reign of Delhi.

Picture credit: Google