HOW BABUR INVADED INDIA ?

Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire in India, came to India in the early 16th century. His journey to India was a result of a series of political struggles and military campaigns. Here’s how he came to India:

1. Early Life and Struggles

Babur was born in 1483 in Fergana (modern Uzbekistan). He was a descendant of Tamerlane (Timur) from his father’s side and Genghis Khan from his mother’s side. He inherited the throne of Fergana at the age of 12 but faced constant threats from rival rulers, especially the Uzbeks under Shaibani Khan.

2. Loss of Samarkand and Move to Kabul (1504)

After losing his ancestral lands in Samarkand, Babur moved to Kabul in 1504, where he established a stronghold. He ruled there for about two decades, gaining military experience.

3. Expansion Towards India

Babur had long desired to conquer India, inspired by the wealth and stories of previous invaders like Mahmud of Ghazni. Additionally, the Lodi dynasty, which ruled Delhi, was weak and faced internal conflicts.

4. Invitation from Indian Nobles

Several Afghan and Rajput nobles, unhappy with Ibrahim Lodi, the Sultan of Delhi, invited Babur to invade India. This included Daulat Khan Lodi (governor of Punjab) .

5. First Battle of Panipat (1526) – Conquest of Delhi

Babur marched into India with a well-trained army equipped with firearms and artillery. On April 21, 1526, he defeated Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat, marking the foundation of the Mughal Empire in India.

6. Further Battles and Establishment of the Mughal Empire

After Panipat, Babur had to face strong opposition from Rajput rulers, especially Rana Sanga of Mewar at the Battle of Khanwa (1527) and the Afghan chiefs at the Battle of Ghagra (1529). He successfully consolidated his rule in North India before his death in 1530.

Conclusion

Babur came to India as an ambitious conqueror, but his use of gunpowder, artillery, and superior military strategies helped him defeat stronger but outdated Indian armies. His conquest laid the foundation for the Mughal Empire, which would rule India for the next over 300 years.