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Module - II Battles of Mughal Army

Military History of
for horsemen to charge at the opponent at the right time. To lengthen the line, ropes
Medieval India
built of raw hide were placed over wheeled wooden tripods. Behind the tripods,
matchlock-men were placed who could fire and, if required, advance. The flanks
were given protection by digging ditches.

In addition to the regular force, small contingents were kept on the left flank and in
front for the tulghuma (flanking) tactic. Thus, a strong offensive-defensive formation
Note had been prepared by Babur.
Rana Sanga, fighting in a traditional way, attacked the Mughal army's flanks. He was
prevented from breaking through by reinforcements dispatched by Babur. The carts
and matchlockmen were ordered to advance, pressing on the Rajputs and their allies.
The battle which lasted for not more than 10 hours, was bitterly contested and became
an exceedingly brutal affair. At a critical moment of battle, the defection of Silhadi and
his contingent caused a split in the Rajput forces. Rana Sanga while trying to rebuild
his front was wounded and fell unconscious from his horse. The Rajput army thought
their leader was dead which resulted in disorder, thus allowing the Mughals to win the
day. Despite putting up a gallant fight, Rana Sanga and his allies suffered defeat.
With his numerically huge army as compared to that of Babur, Sanga perceived that
he would win the battle against Babur. However, Babur's tactics and the efficient use
of artillery and cannons was no match for Rana Sanga. The Rajputs had no answer to
the wheeling tactics of the Mughal cavalry. Babur's artillery had won the day for him;
it had finally established the Mughal rule over India and eventually sealed the fate of
the Rajput revival.

7.2.2 The Battle of Chanderi

Chanderi was under the Muslim rule for a long time before being captured by Rana
Sanga during one of his wars with Ibrahim Lodi. It was later given to Medini Rai, who
had served Sultan Mahmud Khilji as prime minister. Medini Rai was one of Rana
Sanga's most distinguished lieutenants. He assisted Rana Sanga in many campaigns
against the Sultans of India. He fought along with Rana Sanga in the battle of Khanwa
against Babur. After the battle Medini Rai returned to Chanderi. But Babur decided to
make Chanderi his next objective.

Chanderi was a walled town. The citadel was built on a hill above the town, with an
outer-fort below the hill. The citadel's water supply was lower down the hill, and was
protected by a double line of walls that ran from the citadel down to the outer fort. The
town's location made Babur's artillery less effective than normal. Babur's chief of
ordnance, was unable to find a position above the height of the walls, and so work
began on building a mound for the mortar. The rest of the army was ordered to build
ladders and mantlets. Babur's next move was to send Araish Khan to meet with Medini
Rao with a peace offer - if Medini Rao would surrender Chanderi then he would be
rewarded with Shamsabad. This offer was refused.

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MILITARY HISTORY