MUGHALS-BABUR

Zahir-ud-din Muhammad, known as Babur was born on February 15, 1483, into a Timurid royal family in Andijan, located in Uzbekistan. Father of Babur, Umar Mirza was the Farghana’s Emir and his mother Qutlaq Khanum (the daughter of Yunus Khan). Babur was believed to be physically fit and strong.  Babur was the eldest son of Sheikh Mirza. Although he belonged to the Barlas tribe of Mongolia, his tribe had permeated the Persian as well as Turkish culture.

Early Life 

Son of Sheikh Mirza and Qutlaq Nigar Khanum, Babur was born into a royal family of Timurid in Andijan, Uzbekistan in the year 1483. When he was 12 years of age, he became the ruler after the demise of his father. Later he was dethroned by his uncles. With the help of his grandmother (Asian Daulat), he secured the Ferghana throne. At the age of 15, after a long siege, he finally took over the city of Samarkand. 

Capturing the Throne

In the year 1494, due to the sudden demise of the Emir of Ferghana, Babur took over the throne of his father. His throne was secured, however, cousins and uncles of Babur plotted to dethrone him. Later in 1497, Babur conquered the famous silk route of Samarkand. While Babur was engaged in the battle, the conflict between his uncles and nobles arose in Andijan. After Babur turned to protect his base, he lost control over Samarkand. Nevertheless, he somehow regained both the cities by the year 1501. Later the Uzbek ruler (Shaibani Khan) challenged Babur; he faced a crushing defeat over the Samarkand battle. This ended the Rule of Babur in Uzbekistan. 

Exile in Afghanistan 

Over the three years, Babur roamed around the central region of Asia, trying to enthrall followers to take the throne of Ferghana which was earlier ruled by his father. In the year 1504, Babur and his army turned to the southeast region of Asia, crossing the Hindu-Kush Mountains to enter Afghanistan. At the age of 21, he besieged and took over the control in Kabul, and built his new kingdom. In 1510-11, Babur allied with king Persia and Herat to regain the throne of Ferghana but this time also he was defeated by the Uzbeks. After that, he looked to capture the south region of Asia. 

Invitation for the replacement of Lodi

In the year 1521, an appropriate advantage presented itself to Babur for expansion in the southern region. The King of Delhi Sultanate, Lodi was reviled and detested by his citizens. He had reconstructed the court ranks and military by appointing his followers instead of the old guard and ruled his citizens in a tyrannical manner. Four years later, the nobility of the Afghan was so weary that they invited Babur to depose the sultan of Delhi Sultanate. After gathering an army, Babur besieged Kandahar. Due to the continuation of siege around the Delhi Sultanate, military men and significant nobles of Delhi Sultanate such as Alam Khan, Uncle of Lodi, at last, came out and allied with Babur to cease the counteraction.

First Battle of Panipat

Five years later, Babur finally assaulted the Lodi and Delhi Sultanate in the year 1526. On the ground of Punjab, the battle between Ibrahim Lodi and Babur took place where Babur defeated Lodi and took over the control of Delhi Sultanate. This battle between Lodi and Babur is called the First Panipat battle, which left the mark of the destruction of the Delhi Sultanate. With the help of firepower and tactics, Babur broke down the army of Lodi into pieces. After the fall of the Delhi Sultanate, the empire of Mughal started (also called the empire of Timurid). 

Rajput Wars

It was quite difficult for Babur to conquer the Hindu Rajput Princes. Babur was committed to the establishment of a stable empire in India. Babur decided to establish the capital of his empire at Agra. Knowing the weakening of the Mughal army at the Panipat battle, the Rajputs assembled a massive army and set up a heavy defense against the army of Babur. At the Battle of Khanwa, the army of Babur somehow managed to fight against the large army of Rajput and defeated them. The Hindu Rajputs were intimidated and daunted, but the riot and battles continued in the eastern and northern region of Mughal’s empire for the next few years. 

Death

In 1530, when Babur was 47 years old, he died due to illness. After the demise of Babur, his son Humayun took over the throne of Babur. Although the brothers-in-law of Babur tried to confiscate the throne after the death of Babur, Humayan took control of the Mughal Empire. 

Legacy

Babur had gone through a harsh stage in his life, constantly battling to establish a position for himself. Lastly, he established one of the great empires of the world. He was a devotee of gardens and poetry. The empire of Mughal survived till 1868. Babur was the central personality in the establishment of the empire of Mughal in India. He was assisted by the divided and powerless Hindu forces in the creation of the empire. Though his army brought out severe violence, Babur assisted to unify the kingdom and showed acts of forbearance, charity. He allowed his citizens to sustain their Hindu customs and religion. 

Conclusion

This topic of Mughals-Babar is an important chapter in Indian History. For a proper understanding of the topic, one has to go through all the details of this topic. In this overview of Babur, his early life, invasion in Afghanistan, the first battle of Panipat, Rajput wars with Babur are discussed.