The Battle That Forged an Empire: Babar's Triumph at Khanwa

Just months after the dust settled from the First Battle of Panipat, where Babar defeated the Sultan of Delhi, a new and even more formidable challenge arose. Rana Sanga, the powerful ruler of Mewar and a confederation of Rajput and Afghan chiefs, stood ready to contest Babar's claim to Hindustan. The clash that followed at Khanwa wasn't just a military engagement; it was a defining moment that would determine the fate of the nascent Mughal presence in India. The Akbarnama, the official chronicle of Emperor Akbar's reign, penned by Abu'l Fazl, offers a vivid account of this crucial confrontation, highlighting not only the tactical genius but also the deep sense of divine purpose that Babar felt guided his actions.

The Rajput Challenge: A United Front

The text describes Rana Sanga as a leader of immense strength and courage, whose influence rallied numerous chiefs who had never before served under him. His army was vast, estimated by Indian calculation (where revenue correlates to horsemen) to number over 200,000 cavalry, including significant contingents from powerful allies like Silahuddin of Raisin, Hasan Khan Mewati, and even Mahmud Khan, son of the former Sultan Sikandar Lodi, who brought 10,000 horse hoping to reclaim his ancestral throne. This was a force far larger and arguably more cohesive than the one Babar had faced at Panipat.

Babar's Preparation: Strategy and Faith

Facing such overwhelming numbers, Babar's response, as detailed in the Akbarnama, was a blend of shrewd military strategy and unwavering faith. He chose his ground carefully near the village of Khanwa, between Agra and Sikri (later Fatehpur Sikri). Drawing lessons from Ottoman tactics, he ordered carts (araba) to be collected and chained together, creating a fortified front for his matchlockmen and artillery. Gabions (tura), wicker baskets filled with earth, were placed between the carts, offering further protection. His flanks were secured by trees and ditches, and he organized flanking parties (Tulughma) ready to wheel around and attack the enemy's rear.

Crucially, the narrative emphasizes Babar's reliance on divine aid. Despite the "plenitude of difficulties and a paucity of favouring circumstances," he approached the task with a "tranquil mind and firm soul," trusting in the "inalterable Arbiter." This spiritual dimension is presented as integral to his strategic thinking and eventual success.

The Fierce Clash at Khanwa

On March 16, 1527, the two armies met. The battle was intense, described as shaking the earth and filling the air with the clangor of steel and the whizzing of arrows. Babar's artillery, directed by figures like Mustafa Rumi, played a devastating role, breaking the enemy's ranks. The flanking parties attacked the enemy's rear, sowing confusion.

Despite the ferocity of the Rajput charge, particularly against the imperial flanks, Babar's forces held firm, bolstered by reinforcements sent from the center. The text notes Babar's personal involvement, twice attacking the foe himself, breaking lances in the process – an act highlighting his courage, though the narrative suggests it was against the usual rules for a king.

The turning point came as the battle raged. The combined pressure from Babar's well-organized lines, the effective use of firearms, and the flanking maneuvers eventually overwhelmed Rana Sanga's vast army. The enemy's wings and center were driven into a mass, and despite a desperate final push, they were unable to withstand the Mughal onslaught.

The Fruits of Victory and Divine Favor

The battle ended in a decisive victory for Babar. Rana Sanga's army was routed, and many prominent chiefs, including Hasan Khan Mewati, were slain. The Akbarnama attributes this triumph solely to "Divine aid and the assistance of heaven," portraying it as a "masterpiece of fortune." The chronogram found for this victory, "Fath-i-Badshah-i-Islam" (Victory of the King of Islam), further underscores the religious and providential significance attached to the event.

Babar's victory at Khanwa was far more significant than Panipat. It shattered the formidable Rajput confederacy and removed the most serious indigenous threat to his rule. It cemented his position in the Gangetic plain and allowed him to consolidate his control over northern India, laying the true foundation for the Mughal Empire that would endure for centuries. The account in the Akbarnama preserves this history, reminding us of the strategic brilliance, the technological advantage, and the deep-seated belief in divine destiny that propelled Babar to victory on that pivotal day.