Battle of Khanwa

The battle of Khanwa happened 60km west of Agra between Babur of the Mughal Empire and the Rajput King Rana Sanga of Mewar on 16th March, in 1527 to get the power of Northern India. Maharana Sangram Singh was the ultimate name of Rana Sanga. He was considered as one of great historical leaders in India, who fought the battle of Khanwa against the Mughal emperor Babur in the year of 1527. Rana Sanga wanted to become the the prime ruler of Indian nation, that is the reason after the war of Panipat, the king instantly announced the major war against the Mughal king Babur. As a result, the great Mughal emperor won the prestigious historical battle called battle of Khanwa.

Background

Babur wanted to expand his ruling area into Punjab until 1524. A large amount of North India was under Ibrahim Lodi. In 1504 and 1518, Babur raided Punjab twice but he failed. In 1520-1521, he tried to capture Punjab again and this time he won. He easily won “the twin gateways to Hindustan”. In 1523, Daulat Khan invited Babur to take over Delhi. However, later Daulat Khan betrayed him and captured Sialkot from him. Babur defeated Daulat Khan at Lahore and became the lord of Punjab. After that, Babur never stopped and in the first battle of Panipat, he killed the Sultan of Delhi and became the Mughal emperor.

According to some historians, Rana Sanga also helped Babur against Ibrahim. Babur is one who made his first move and convinced Rana Sanga for a war against the Lodi Empire. 

The Beginning of the Khanwa war:

After the first Panipat war, Babur acknowledged the warning from his two allied nations – Rana Sanga and the Afghans.  Babur sent his army to defeat Dholpur, Bayana and Gwalior. Mughal king Babur built a strong warrior team surrounding Agra. Rana Sanga was defeated by the predominant power of Mughal emperor Babur in the place of Bayana in the year of 1527. Ranga Sanga defeated all the armies that were sent by Babur against him. This became a great threat for Babur.

Strategy of Khanwa War:

Rana Sanga built a military force against Babur. Rajput kings from Rajasthan, including Sirohi, Jalor, Shundhar, Harauti, Rao Medini and Dungarpur joined his forces. Rao Ganga sent his son Maldev Rathore to join the battle of Khanwa.  Mahmud Lodi and Khanzada Hasan Khan Mewati who were the enemies of Babur joined Rana Sanga’s war team against Babur. Chandra also represented Rana Sanga to restore the Lodi empire and expel Babur. 

Babur knew that he could not win against Rana Sanga. Therefore, he planned a defensive strategy against them. Digging ditches protected by the flanks. The carts carried falconets, foot-musketeers and mortars from where the Rajput king could fire easily. The strongest horsemen stood behind the whole team. This is the strong defensive and offensive plan made by Babur to win the Khanwa War.

Battle Ground:

Rana Sanga maintained his traditional manner in the battle of khanwa. Babur’s muskets shot down a large number of his armies. Ranga Sanga could not attack the Mughal centre, so he attacked Mughal flanks. During attacking the flanks, Mughal fired at Rajputs with arrows and muskets. 

Babur attacked with his taulqama and made Rajput’s horsemen forces retreat to their positions. At this time, Sihadi betrayed Rana Sanga and joined the Mughal forces. That is why Rana was forced to change his plan. At this time, Rana fell unconscious because of a bullet shot. The Rajputs failed to break Mughal flanks.  

After noticing the weak points of Rajputs, Babur ordered his team to fight in an offensive way. As a result, many of the Rajput armies died. At this point, the Rajput’s leaders were senseless and most of the senior commanders were dead, the Mughal team easily defeated the Rajputs and won the battle of Khanwa.

After Victory:

After winning the Khanwa war, Babur took over Northern India and ordered to make a tower of the enemy skulls.

Rana Sanga was poisoned by his own chief and died in Chittoor on 30th January in 1528. 

Conclusion 

Babur won the battle of Khanwa just because of his strong strategy and tactics. Although Rajput has had a large number of army forces in his team. After the impactful Sihadi’s betrayal, the Rajput soldiers lost their actual strength and primarily changed their previous plan. After the predominant battle of Khanwa the Rajputs leader Rana Sanga totally collapsed, that was the reason the Rajput power became extremely weak. The Mughal king Babur easily won Northern India after the collapse of Rajput powers.