Struggle for Empire in North India, Mughals and Afghans (1525–1555)

The struggle between Mughals and Afghans for control over northern India started in 1526 when Ibrahim Khan Lodi, the last Sultan of the Delhi Sultanate, and Babur, a Central Asian ruler and a descendant of Genghis Khan, fought their first Battle of Panipat. It marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire in India but they were in continuous struggle with Afghans till 1555, after which Mughals established a formidable empire. In this article, we will discuss the Struggle for Empire in North India between Mughals and Afghans (1525–1555) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Table of Contents

1. Struggle for Empire in North India during Babur’s Reign
2. Struggle for Empire in North India during Humayun’s Reign
3. Conclusion

Struggle for Empire in North India during Babur’s Reign

• Babur was the ruler of Fergana (Uzbekistan) and conquered Kabul in 1504. He was a descendant of both Timur and Genghis Khan.
• He attempted three times to capture Samarkand but failed each time. As a result, he shifted his focus to Punjab.
• During that time, North India was ruled by Ibrahim Lodi of the Lodi dynasty, but the empire was crumbling and there were many defectors.
• Daulat Khan, the governor of Punjab, and Ala-ud-Din, uncle of Ibrahim Lodi, invited Babur to invade the region and unsettle Ibrahim Lodi.
• In 1526, Ibrahim Lodi and Babur’s troops finally met at Panipat. Although Babur’s army had fewer soldiers, his army was better organised.
• In the Battle of Panipat, Ibrahim Lodi was defeated. This first Battle of Panipat effectively ended the Lodi dynasty in India.
• Ibrahim Lodi died on the battlefield after being abandoned by his feudatories and generals (many of whom were mercenaries).
• Despite their defeat at Panipat, the Afghans remained a strong force in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Bengal.
• They were reuniting in order to recover their lost abilities.
• Rajputs joined together under the command of Mewar’s ruler, Rana Sanga, to drive the Mughal armies out.
• Rana Sanga joined hands with Malwa ruler and younger son of Sikander Lodi.
• Babur was also well aware that until he crushed Rana’s influence, it would be hard for him to secure his position in India.
• At Khanwa, near Fatehpur Sikri, Babur’s and Rana Sanga‘s armies clashed.
• In 1527, Rana Sanga was defeated, and Babur’s superior military tactics prevailed once more.
• The strongest challenge in north India was crushed with Sanga’s defeat.
• Although the Afghans had given up Delhi, they remained formidable in the east, particularly in Bihar and parts of Jaunpur.

Struggle for Empire in North India during Humayun’s Reign

• Humayun had to deal with the rapid rise of Afghan power in the east, as well as the growing power and clout of Gujarat’s ruler, Bahadur Shah.
• In 1532, he defeated the Afghan forces that had conquered Bihar and overrun Jaunpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh at Dadrah.
• Humayun besieged Chunar after this victory.
• In battle against Bahadur Shah, Humayun demonstrated exceptional military skill as well as personal bravery.
• Bahadur Shah was afraid to face the Mughals. He abandoned Chittor and fled to Ahmedabad, then Kathiawar.
• Thus, Humayun inherited the rich provinces of Malwa and Gujarat, as well as the large treasures hoarded by the Gujarat rulers at Mandu and Champaner.
• However, Gujarat and Malwa were both lost as quickly as they were gained.
• In another battle at Chausa in 1539, Sher Shah defeated Humayun.
• To save his life, Humayun threw his horse into a river and was saved from drowning by a water carrier. As a result, Sher Shah Suri declared himself a Sultan and captured West Bengal.
• Sher Shah died in 1545 and he was succeeded by his son Islam Shah. However, his untimely death sparked a civil war among his successors.
• This gave Humayun the chance he had been looking for to reclaim his empire in India.
• He defeated the Afghans and reclaimed Delhi and Agra in two bloody battles in 1555.

Conclusion

Conclusion

In a 30 year long struggle between Mughals and Afgans for the control of Northern India, Mughals were victorious. After the battle of Panipat in 1526, Babur had established Mughal empire in India but continuous challenge from Afghans led to destability and in 1540 Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun to establish Sur empire. After the Death of Islam Shah, successor of Sher Shah Suri, Humayun reestablished the Mughal empire in India in 1555.