Saturday, September 14, 2019
Establishment of Mughal power in India: Babur's war
Babur's early life
Zaheeruddin Mu, the founder of the Mughal Empire. Babur was born on February 14, 1483, in Fargana, a small state in Central Asia. Babur was ambitious. He was not satisfied to get a small princely state of Fargana. Therefore, he planned to conquer Samarkand, the capital of Timur. The ruler of Samarkand was Ahmed Mirza. Babur's first attack was unsuccessful. In 1497 AD, Babur became the authority over Samarkand. Later, due to any reason, he had to lose both Fargana and Samarkand and he became nomadic. But soon his fate supported him and he regained Fargana.
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| Establishment of Mughal power |
Kabul-Victory by Babur
Babur moved towards Kabul and Ghazni with the aim of trying his luck. Incidentally, political disturbance had begun even before Babur reached Kabul. Babur got a golden opportunity and in 1504 AD he captured Kabul and Ghazni. The victory of Kabul changed the fate of Babur. In 1506 AD, Babur's eldest son Humayun was born in Kabul. Babur conquered Samarkand, Bukhara and Khorasan. But Samarkand did not remain in Babur's hand for long. When Babur could not fulfill the desire to expand the empire in the north-west, he concentrated his attention towards the south-east. Babar had to wait for many years to gain entry into the Indian border.
First attack by Babur
First of all in 1519 AD, Babar attacked Bajaur fort on the Indian border with military preparations. After conquering Bajaur, Babur slaughtered Hindu-defenders for the purpose of spreading terror. After Bajaur-Vijay, he attacked a place called Bhira on the banks of river Jhelum. Due to the revolt of the local people, Bhira had to leave it soon.
Second attack by Babur
Babar crossed Khyber for the second time in 1519 AD. This time the main objective of the invasion was to suppress the Yusufajis and collect logistics in the fort of Peshawar. He wanted to establish his authority in India by making Peshawar the basis. But at the same time rebellion was reported in Badakhshan, so he had to leave India.
Third attack by Babur
Babur's third invasion of India took place in 1520 AD. Taking possession of Bajaur and Bheera, he reached Sialkot. Babur did not face opposition in taking over Sialkot. Meanwhile, Babur received information that unrest has spread in Kandhar. He was forced to return from India for the third time.
Fourth attack by Babur
Babur strengthened his position in Afghanistan and made a fourth attempt to attack India in 1524 AD. This time he got the invitation to attack from India itself. The relationship between Sultan Ibrahim Lodi and Punjab Governor Daulat Khan became bitter. Seeing the growing influence of Daulat Khan, Ibrahim Lodi ordered him to come to Delhi. But Daulat Khan himself did not attend and disobeyed the order of Sultan Ibrahim Lodi. Terrorized by the fear of Ibrahim Lodi, he sent his son Dilawar Khan to Kabul. Daulat Khan wanted to bring Ibrahim Lodi's uncle Alam Khan to the throne of Delhi with military help from Babur.
Therefore, soon after getting the invitation, Babur started to conquer India in 1524 AD. Daulat was defeated and expelled from Punjab by Khan Lodi, so he requested Babur to re-establish himself in Punjab. Babur was only ready to give Daulat Khan the jagirs of Jalandhar and Sultanpur. Disappointed with Babur's behavior, Daulat Khan escaped with his son Ghazi Khan and began planning to take over Lahore.
Fifth attack by Babur
Babur had planned to attack India with full preparation for the fifth time. In November 1525, he left Kabul and Kandahar to his son Kamran and left for India. On the way Humayun took the army from Badshakhan and joined him. After crossing the Jhelum River, Lahore's army also joined Babur. Daulat Khan and his son Ghazi Khan, after receiving information of the arrival of the outside, secured themselves in the fort of Milwat. Babur got the right over Sialkot. Indian Sardars started gathering in Lahore. But in the battlefield, only Daulat Khan landed with his 40 azar soldiers to fight Babur. His army soon disintegrated and Daulat Khan had to surrender. After taking over Lahore and its adjoining areas, Babur proceeded towards Delhi.
Ibrahim Lodi departed with a large army after receiving information of Babur's invasion and victory. Babur advanced from Sirhind and Ambala. Therefore, Ibrahim Lodi sent two of his military squads to Hisar-Firoza to block its route. These soldiers faced Humayun, the son of Babur. Humayun defeated the army of Lodis. Now only Ibrahim's army could obstruct the route to Delhi. So Babur passed through the banks of river Yamuna on 12 April 1526. E reached Panipat. On 21 April 1526 AD, Delhi Sultan Ibrahim Lodi and Mughal invader Babur took place.