Page 7 - ch 7

Battles of Mughal Army Module - II

Military History of
The strategic planning and clever use of men and weapons by Babur made it clear to
Medieval India
the defenders of Chanderi that the end of the siege was close. At this point they
performed the ritual of Jauhar, killing their women before making one final desperate
attack on Babur's men.The fall of the town had happened so quickly that Babur himself
could not take part in the battle.
After the Battle of Chanderi, no Rajput ruler ever challenged the authority of Babur.

Note
Intext Questions 7.3

1. Who were the opposing forces at the Battle of Khanwa?
2. What was the outcome of the Battle of Khanwa?

What You Have Learnt

 Babur laid the foundations of what was known as the Mughal empire, by crushing
the Lodi Dynasty in the First Battle of Panipat.
 Mughal Empire faced administrative as well as several other security challenges
such as the threat from Rajputs.
 Ibrahim Lodi as the Sultan of Delhi had made several failed attempts to subdue the
Rajputs of Mewar.
 Babur who attempted to engulf the Rajputana. The Battle of Khanwa was
one such successful attempt which breached the stronghold of the Rajputs.
 Subsequently, the fortified town of Chanderi witnessed the final bloodshed which
broke the spine of the Rajputs and allowed Babur to finally proceed to establish
his empire.

Terminal Exercises

1. What military tactics were employed by Babur in the first battle of Panipat?

2. What were the battlefield tactics employed by Babur in the Battle of Chanderi?

Answers to In Text Questions

7.1 1. It was one of the earliest battles involving the use of gunpowder firearms
and field artillery in India.

2. Ibrahim Lodi's harsh rule built discontent among many and hence the governor
of Punjab Daulat Khan invited Babur to invade India.

7.2 1. Tulghuma is a tactic aimed at dividing the whole army into small units and
placing them on the flanks centre where as the Araba meant carts that were

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MILITARY HISTORY 47