****History of Panipat Battle****
****History of Panipat Battle****
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The Battle of Panipat refers to three important battles in Indian history, each of which had significant consequences for the political landscape of the Indian subcontinent. These battles took place near the city of Panipat, located in present-day Haryana, India. Fought in 1526, 1556 and 1761, these three battles mark the rise or fall of powerful empires. These encounters are remembered for their strategic importance, heavy casualties and their long-term impact on the history of India.
The First Battle of Panipat was fought on April 20, 1526, between the forces of the Mughal emperor Babur and the Sultan of Delhi Ibrahim Lodi. This battle marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire in India. Babur, a descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan, assumed the throne of Kabul and had ambitions to expand his empire across the Indian subcontinent.Ibrahim Lodi, the ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, inherited a fragmented and weakened empire. His reign was characterized by internal strife and many of his nobles were dissatisfied with his leadership. The Sultan's army, which numbered about 100,000, was much larger than Babur's army, which had about 20,000 soldiers. However, Babur's army was better equipped and more disciplined, especially with the use of gunpowder, cannons, and advanced tactics.The battle was fought in an open field near Panipat. Babur used innovative military strategies, including the use of artillery and a tactical formation called the "Tulughma", which divided his forces into strategic units. Additionally, Babur's forces used heavy artillery, including cannons, which was relatively new to Indian warfare and played a key role in the victory. The battle ended with the decisive defeat of Ibrahim Lodi, who was killed in battle, and Babur emerged as the ruler of northern India.This victory at Panipat established the Mughal Empire in India. Babur's descendants, especially his grandson Akbar the Great, expanded the empire to encompass almost the entire subcontinent.The Second Battle of Panipat was fought on November 5, 1556, between the forces of the Mughal emperor Akbar, led by his regent Bairam Khan, and the forces of Hemu, a major general of the Afghan king Adil Shah Suri. The battle was a pivotal moment in the consolidation of the Mughal Empire.
After Babur's death in 1530, his son Humayun took the throne, but was eventually deposed by Sher Shah Suri, who founded the Suri Empire. Humayun returned to India in 1555 after defeating the Suris and reestablishing Mughal rule. However, the empire was weak, and Humayun died soon after his return.Humayun's younger son Akbar, who was only 13 years old at the time of his father's death, was crowned emperor. Due to Akbar's youth, the experienced military commander Bairam Khan became the de facto ruler and led the Mughal army. The ambitious military leader Hemu tried to take advantage of the Mughals' weakness and gathered a large army and eventually marched towards Delhi.
The battle took place near Panipat and Hemu's army initially gained the upper hand. However, during the battle, Hemu was hit by an arrow in the eye and fell unconscious, causing his army to retreat in disarray. Bairam Khan's well-organised counter-attack resulted in a decisive victory for the Mughals. Hemu was captured and, despite being initially spared, was later executed.
This victory not only secured Akbar's rule but also strengthened the Mughals' hold on northern India. Akbar's reign became one of the most prosperous periods in Indian history, known for military expansion, religious tolerance and administrative reforms. The Mughal Empire under Akbar gained control over much of the Indian subcontinent.The third and final battle of Panipat, fought on January 14, 1761, was one of the bloodiest and most important conflicts in Indian history. It was fought between the forces of the Maratha Empire and the Durrani Empire (also known as the Afghan Empire), led by Ahmad Shah Durrani (also known as Ahmad Shah Abdali). The Marathas, who emerged in the 17th century and controlled much of India, faced a major challenge from the Afghan invaders.The Marathas had spread their influence across India, including Maharashtra, Gujarat and parts of North India. However, their growing power was seen as a threat by many regional rulers and Ahmad Shah Durrani tried to curb Maratha influence with the support of various allies, including the Rohillas and Shuja-ud-Daula,the Nawab of Awadh.
The Maratha army, led by Sadashiv Ballal and supported by a huge army, advanced towards Panipat with the intention of confronting Durrani's army. The battle was fought between two huge armies, each numbering around 100,000 soldiers, and was characterised by fierce fighting, massive cavalry attacks.
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