9 epic battles that built the Mughal Empire: In Pics
9 epic battles that built the Mughal Empire: In Pics
The Mughal Empire, one of the most powerful and culturally influential empires in Indian history, was forged through the fire of battle. Here are 10 epic battles that shaped the Mughal Empire, in pictures.
First Battle of Panipat (1526): Babur, the prince from Central Asia, fought the the Sultan of Delhi, Ibrahim Lodhi, on the plains of Panipat in 1526. Despite being outnumbered, Babur used Ottoman-style field artillery and disciplined infantry tactics to crush Lodhi’s forces. The Mughal victory marked the end of the Delhi Sultanate and the beginning of a new empire in India, a blend of Persian culture and Central Asian military strategy.
2/9Image Source : art.walters.org
Battle of Khanwa (1527): Fought between Babur and the Rajput confederacy led by Rana Sanga of Mewar, the Battle of Khanwa was even more ferocious than Panipat. Rana Sanga, seen as a Hindu resistance figure, aimed to oust the Mughals. Babur, invoking jihad and rallying his men with religious zeal, employed matchlock muskets and defensive trenches. His victory dismantled Rajput unity and secured Mughal dominance in north India.
3/9Image Source : Wikimedia Commons
Battle of Ghaghra (1529): Babur’s final major battle, fought on the banks of the Ghaghra River, saw him confronting the Afghan chieftain Mahmud Lodi, who had declared himself ruler of Bihar. With the aid of Bengal forces, Lodi hoped to revive Afghan power in the Gangetic plains. Babur’s artillery and cavalry again proved superior. This victory cemented Mughal control over eastern India, extending the empire’s reach to Bengal’s doorstep.
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4/9Image Source : Wikimedia Commons
Battle of Shergarh (1540): Humayun, Babur’s son, was less fortunate. Facing Sher Shah Suri, a brilliant Afghan general, Humayun suffered a humiliating defeat at Shergarh. The Mughal army was outmanoeuvred and forced to retreat, leading to the loss of the empire for over a decade. Sher Shah’s victory established the short-lived but influential Sur Empire and laid the administrative groundwork that later Mughal rulers would adopt.
5/9Image Source : Wikimedia Commons
Second Battle of Panipat (1556): After Humayun’s death, the Mughals were vulnerable. His 13-year-old son, Akbar, faced a serious threat from Hemu, a Hindu general who declared himself ruler in Delhi. Under the regency of Bairam Khan, Akbar’s forces clashed with Hemu’s army near Panipat. Hemu’s death by an arrow turned the tide, leading to a Mughal victory. This battle was crucial in restoring Mughal rule in India and allowing Akbar to mature into one of the greatest emperors in history.
6/9Image Source : Google Maps
Chittorgarh Siege (1567–68): Determined to subjugate the powerful Rajput kingdoms, Akbar besieged Chittorgarh, the capital of Mewar, held by Rana Uday Singh’s forces. After a months-long siege and fierce resistance, the fort fell. In response to continued resistance, Akbar ordered a massacre of thousands of civilians and defenders. This harsh but calculated act was meant to discourage future rebellions and marked a turning point in Mughal–Rajput relations, paving the way for future alliances.
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7/9Image Source : Wikimedia Commons
Battle of Haldighati (1576): One of the most romanticised battles in Indian history, Haldighati saw Akbar’s general Man Singh face Maharana Pratap, the Rajput icon of defiance. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Pratap launched a fierce attack using terrain to his advantage. The battle ended in a tactical victory for the Mughals but failed to capture Pratap, who continued guerrilla warfare. The battle became a symbol of Rajput honour, resilience and patriotism.
8/9Image Source : Wikimedia Commons
Siege of Kandahar (1595): As the Mughal Empire expanded westwards, it clashed with the Safavid Empire of Persia over control of Kandahar, a strategic frontier city. Akbar’s army laid siege to the city and successfully wrested it from Safavid control. The capture of Kandahar not only secured the empire’s northwest but also boosted Akbar’s prestige as a pan-Indian ruler able to challenge even international rivals.
9/9Image Source : Wikimedia Commons
The Mughal–Maratha War (1681–1707): Aurangzeb’s relentless Deccan campaign was the longest and most resource, draining military endeavour of the Mughal Empire. Determined to subjugate the Deccan sultanates and the rising Maratha power, he personally led the campaign for over two decades. While he managed to annex Bijapur and Golconda, the Marathas waged guerrilla warfare, bleeding Mughal resources. Though territorially successful, this campaign contributed to the empire’s overextension and eventual decline.
