π Topic 01 of 6 Β· Chapter 10 Β· Mughal Empire
Babur & Humayun β Early Mughal Empire
Babur’s invasions, Panipat 1526, Khanwa 1527, Ghaghra 1529, Baburnama. Humayun’s reign, Sher Shah Suri interlude.
π Babur (1526β1530) β Founder of Mughal Empire
Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur was the founder of the Mughal Empire. He was descended from Timur (father’s side) and Genghis Khan (mother’s side). He was the ruler of Kabul (Afghanistan) before invading India.
Key Battles:
| Battle | Year | Opponent | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Battle of Panipat | April 21, 1526 | Ibrahim Lodi (last Delhi Sultan) | Founded Mughal Empire; used gunpowder and artillery; Ibrahim Lodi killed |
| Battle of Khanwa | March 17, 1527 | Rana Sanga (Rajput confederacy) | Defeated Rajput resistance; Babur declared Jihad to motivate troops |
| Battle of Chanderi | January 1528 | Medini Rai (Chandella Rajput) | Captured Chanderi fort |
| Battle of Ghaghra | May 1529 | Afghan chiefs (Bihar/Bengal) | Defeated Afghan resistance; secured eastern India |
β Baburnama: Babur wrote his autobiography Baburnama in Chagatai Turkish β the first autobiography in Islamic literature. It is a vivid account of his campaigns, observations of Indian nature, flora, fauna, and society. It was later translated into Persian by Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khana (one of Akbar’s Navratnas). It is a UNESCO Memory of the World document.
π Humayun (1530β1540, 1555β1556)
- Son of Babur; inherited a large but unstable empire
- Divided the empire among his brothers β a major mistake
- Defeated by Sher Shah Suri at Battle of Chausa (1539) and Battle of Kanauj (1540)
- Fled to Persia; spent 15 years in exile
- Returned with Persian help; defeated Sher Shah’s successors
- Recaptured Delhi (1555) but died falling from library stairs (1556)
- His tomb in Delhi β Humayun’s Tomb β is a UNESCO WHS; precursor to Taj Mahal
ποΈ Sher Shah Suri (1540β1545) β Interregnum
- Afghan ruler who defeated Humayun and ruled India for 5 years
- Built Grand Trunk Road (Bengal to Kabul)
- Introduced Rupee (Rupiya) β silver coin; still used today
- Efficient administration; postal system; rest houses (sarais)
- Died in 1545 CE in a gunpowder explosion at Kalinjar fort
- Akbar adopted many of Sher Shah’s administrative reforms
π Exam Tip:
β’ First Battle of Panipat = April 21, 1526 = Babur vs Ibrahim Lodi = gunpowder
β’ Battle of Khanwa = 1527 = Babur vs Rana Sanga = Rajput resistance defeated
β’ Baburnama = Chagatai Turkish = first Islamic autobiography
β’ Sher Shah Suri = Grand Trunk Road = Rupee = efficient administration
β’ Humayun’s Tomb = Delhi = UNESCO WHS = precursor to Taj Mahal
β’ First Battle of Panipat = April 21, 1526 = Babur vs Ibrahim Lodi = gunpowder
β’ Battle of Khanwa = 1527 = Babur vs Rana Sanga = Rajput resistance defeated
β’ Baburnama = Chagatai Turkish = first Islamic autobiography
β’ Sher Shah Suri = Grand Trunk Road = Rupee = efficient administration
β’ Humayun’s Tomb = Delhi = UNESCO WHS = precursor to Taj Mahal