Battle of Khanwa(1527) | Free PDF Download -

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BACKGROUND

The Battle of Khanwa was fought near the village of Khanwa, in Bharatpur District of Rajasthan, on March 17, 1527. It was fought between the invading forces of the first Mughal Emperor Babur and the Rajput forces led by Rana Sanga of Mewar, after the Battle of Panipat.
Both had very high ambitions of name and fame. Both had an eye on the whole of India. Each wanted to become the supreme power.
Rajput ruler Rana Sanga had sent an ambassador to Babur at Kabul, offering to join in Babur’s attack on Sultan Ibrahim Lodi of Delhi.
However, while Babur did attack Lodi and took over Delhi and Agra, Sanga made no move, apparently having changed his mind. Both accused each other of breach of faith.

BACKGROUND

After the First Battle of Panipat, Babur had recognized that his biggest danger came from two quarters: Rana Sanga and the Afghans ruling eastern India at the time
In the early 1527 Babur started receiving reports of Sanga’s advance towards Agra.
Military detachments were then sent by Babur to conquer Dholpur, Gwaliyar and Bayana, strong forts forming the outer boundaries of Agra. However, Nizam Khan, the commander of Bayana, opened negotiations with both Babur and Rana Sanga.
The force sent by Babur to Bayana was defeated and dispersed by Rana Sanga’s forces. However, subsequently, Bayana surrendered to Babur.

ALLIANCE

Rana Sanga had succeeded in building a formidable military alliance against Babur. He was joined by virtually all the leading Rajput kings from Rajasthan, including those from Harauti, Jalor, Sirohi, Dungarpur, Dhundhar and Amber.
Rao Medini Rao of Chanderi in Malwa also joined the alliance. Further, Mahmud Lodi, the younger son of Sikandar Lodi, whom the Afghans had proclaimed their new sultan also joined the alliance with a force of 10,000 Afghans under him.
Khanzada Hasan Khan Mewati, the ruler of Mewat State, also joined the alliance with a force of 12,000.

BATTLE

According to Babur, Rana Sanga’s army consisted of 200,000 soldiers. Even if this figure is exaggerated, Historian comments that it is indisputable that Sanga’s army greatly outnumbered Babur’s forces.
The armies of Babur and Rana Sanga met at Khanwa, about forty Kilometers away from Delhi. Babur arranged his army almost in the same manner as he had done at Panipat.
The battle started at 9 A.M. on March 17, 1527 and continued for about ten hours. The Rajput began to bring havoc upon Babur’s army that seemed to have been reduced almost to their last gasp. At this moment Babur made a stirring speech before his soldiers.

BATTLE

Despite putting up a gallant fight, Rana Sanga and his allies suffered a disastrous defeat.
Following his victory, Babur ordered a tower of enemy skulls to be erected, a practice formulated by Timur against his adversaries, irrespective of their religious beliefs.
The Mughals won the battle. Rana Sanga was badly wounded and taken away from the battle field. He wanted to take revenge of his defeat but his nobles did not want to take risk. He is said to have been poisoned to death by his own men.

CAUSES OF THE FAILURE

Rana Sanga not a diplomat like Babur.
Rana Sanga’s failure to estimate the strength of Babur.
Holy war (Jihad).
Babur as a commander
Babur’s artillery and disciplined army.

AFTERMATH

The foundation laid at the battle of Panipat for the establishment of the Mughal empire and rajput superiority declined

• The power of the Afghans was almost crippled,After the defeat and death of Rana Sanga, Mewar lost its prestige and in its place Marwar started gaining the power.