A History of Agriculture in India v2.c67.s3: The First Battle of Panipat
A History of Agriculture in India v2.c67.s3
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The First Battle of Panipat
v2.c67.s3.1
Babur invaded India again in November 1525. This was his fifth invasion of India. Because he anticipated a tough resistance from Daulat Khan and also a sharp conflict with Sultan Ibrahim Lodhi, he now went to India with ‘the largest army he had ever led into Hindustan.’ Daulat Khan’s army melted away at his approach but with Ibrahim, Babur had to fight the most crucial battle of his life on 21 April 1526, the first battle of Panipat.
v2.c67.s3.2
The first battle of Panipat began the last phase of Babur’s life. It is well known in all its details to the students of Indian history and may be briefly told. Babur states, ‘I placed my foot in the stirrup of resolution, and my hand on the reins of confidence in God, and marched against Sultan Ibrahim, the son of Sultan Sikandar, the son of Sultan Bahlol Lodi Afghan, in whose possession the throne of Delhi and the dominions of Hindustan at that time were; whose army in the field was said to amount to a hundred thousand men, and who, including those of his Amirs, had nearly a thousand elephants. For the first time in the history of India artillery was used in warfare. Ustad Kuli Khan was the master gunner of Babur. Indian elephants fled in terror on hearing the sound of artillery, trampling Ibrahim’s soldiers. By mid-day the battle was over. Ibrahim Lodi lay dead with 30,000 of his soldiers.
v2.c67.s3.3
Soon after the battle of Panipat, Babur proclaimed himself the Padshah of Hindustan with his headquarters at Agra. At Agra he laid a garden near the Jumna. During the heat of summer he sought refuge in this garden.