Babur was the founder of the Mughal Empire in India and ruled from 1526 to 1530 CE. He was a descendant of Timur (from his father’s side) and Genghis Khan (from his mother’s side). His victory at the First Battle of Panipat (1526) established Mughal rule in India.
Basic Information on Babur
- Full Name: Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur
- Born: 14 February 1483 CE
- Birthplace: Andijan, Fergana Valley (Present-day Uzbekistan)
- Dynasty: Mughal Dynasty
- Father: Umar Shaikh Mirza II (Ruler of Fergana)
- Mother: Qutlugh Nigar Khanum (Descendant of Genghis Khan)
- Major Battles: First Battle of Panipat (1526), Battle of Khanwa (1527), Battle of Chanderi (1528), Battle of Ghaghra (1529)
- Religious Policy: Generally tolerant, but had conflicts with Rajputs and Afghans
- Major Achievements: Founded the Mughal Empire, introduced gunpowder warfare, wrote Baburnama
- Death: 26 December 1530 CE (Agra, India)
Early Life of Babur
- Became ruler of Fergana at the age of 12 after his father’s death in 1495.
- Captured Samarkand in 1497 but lost it soon after.
- Spent years struggling to maintain control over his small kingdom.
- Defeated by Uzbek ruler Shaibani Khan, which forced him to move towards India.
Babur’s Invasion of India
1. First Battle of Panipat (1526) – Defeated Ibrahim Lodi
- Date: 21 April 1526
- Opponents: Babur vs. Ibrahim Lodi (Delhi Sultanate)
- Significance:
- Babur introduced gunpowder and artillery in Indian warfare.
- Defeated the numerically superior Lodi army using tulughma (flanking tactics).
- Established the Mughal Empire in India.
2. Battle of Khanwa (1527) – Defeated Rana Sanga
- Opponents: Babur vs. Rana Sanga (Rajput Confederacy)
- Significance:
- Rajputs under Rana Sanga of Mewar challenged Babur.
- Babur used artillery and superior cavalry tactics to win.
- Declared himself “Ghazi” (Defender of Islam) after the victory.
3. Battle of Chanderi (1528) – Defeated Medini Rai
- Opponents: Babur vs. Medini Rai (Rajput ruler of Malwa)
- Significance:
- Rajputs fiercely resisted but were defeated.
- Many Rajput women committed Jauhar (mass self-immolation).
4. Battle of Ghaghra (1529) – Defeated Afghan Chiefs
- Opponents: Babur vs. Afghan rulers in Bihar and Bengal
- Significance:
- Ensured Mughal control over Eastern India.
Major Contributions of Babur
1. Introduction of Gunpowder and Modern Warfare
- First to use gunpowder, matchlock guns, and artillery in India.
- Revolutionized Indian military tactics.
2. Establishment of the Mughal Empire
- Defeated Delhi Sultanate and Rajput rulers to lay the foundation for Mughal rule.
3. Baburnama – His Autobiography
- First true autobiography in Islamic literature.
- Written in Chagatai Turkish and later translated into Persian.
- Describes his life, battles, geography, and culture of India.
4. Promotion of Persian Culture
- Encouraged Persian as the court language.
- Introduced gardens (Charbagh style) in India, such as the Ram Bagh in Agra.
Babur’s Challenges & Weaknesses
- Unstable Empire – His empire was not well-established and was mostly gained through force.
- Weak Successor – His son Humayun faced great difficulties after Babur’s death.
- No Strong Administrative System – Unlike Sher Shah Suri, Babur did not create a strong governance system.
Comparison: Babur vs. Ibrahim Lodi
| Feature | Babur | Ibrahim Lodi |
|---|---|---|
| Dynasty | Mughal | Lodi (Delhi Sultanate) |
| Battle | First Battle of Panipat (1526) | Lost in Panipat (1526) |
| Strength | Gunpowder, Cavalry, Tactics | Large but untrained army |
| Administration | Persian influence, weak administration | Weak rule, lost support |
Babur’s Death & Succession
- Died in 1530 CE in Agra.
- His son Humayun succeeded him but struggled to maintain the empire.
- Babur’s remains were later moved to Kabul (Afghanistan).
Key Facts for Quick Revision
- Founder of Mughal Empire: Defeated Ibrahim Lodi in 1526.
- First Battle of Panipat (1526): Used gunpowder and artillery to defeat Lodi.
- Battle of Khanwa (1527): Defeated Rana Sanga of Mewar.
- Battle of Chanderi (1528): Defeated Medini Rai.
- Battle of Ghaghra (1529): Defeated Afghan chiefs in Bihar and Bengal.
- Wrote Baburnama: First true autobiography in Islamic history.
- Died in 1530 CE, succeeded by Humayun.
MCQs on Babur
1. Who was the founder of the Mughal Empire in India?
A) Akbar
B) Babur
C) Humayun
D) Sher Shah Suri
✅ Answer: B) Babur
2. Which battle led to the establishment of the Mughal Empire in India?
A) Battle of Khanwa
B) Battle of Chanderi
C) First Battle of Panipat
D) Battle of Ghaghra
✅ Answer: C) First Battle of Panipat
3. What was Babur’s autobiography called?
A) Ain-i-Akbari
B) Tuzuk-i-Baburi (Baburnama)
C) Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi
D) Akbarnama
✅ Answer: B) Tuzuk-i-Baburi (Baburnama)
4. Which Rajput ruler did Babur defeat in the Battle of Khanwa?
A) Maharana Pratap
B) Rana Sanga
C) Medini Rai
D) Raja Man Singh
✅ Answer: B) Rana Sanga
5. Where did Babur die?
A) Kabul
B) Agra
C) Delhi
D) Lahore
✅ Answer: B) Agra
Subjective Questions for Further Revision
Short Answer Questions (2-5 Marks)
- Who was Babur, and why is he important in Indian history?
- Describe the First Battle of Panipat (1526) and its impact.
- What was Baburnama, and why is it significant?
- How did Babur use gunpowder warfare in India?
- What were the major challenges Babur faced?
Long Answer Questions (8-15 Marks)
- Discuss Babur’s contributions to Indian history.
- Explain the causes and results of the First Battle of Panipat (1526).
- Compare Babur’s administration with later Mughal rulers.
- How did Babur establish the Mughal Empire in India?
- Describe Babur’s battles and military strategies.