Early Invasions of Babur on India

In his encounter with the people of his own race, he took a lesson that only way to establish a large empire is to go beyond Indus and win Hindustan. Babur started contemplating winning India, but till the age of 36 years, he could take anything beyond Kabul & Ghazni.

• The first attack of Babur in India was on Bajaur in 1519 with 2000 horsemen. It was followed by capture of Bhira on Jhelum River in Punjab. Babur claimed this land in right of his great Grandson Timur’s conquest a century ago. But he was repelled by the Hindus and Babur’s occupation was nothing but a fleeting raid.

The discontent at Delhi led Aalam Khan , one of the uncles of Ibrahim Lodi and a claimant to the throne of Delhi flee to Kabul and appeal him for “action”, which was already “granted”.

As early as 1523, the Afghan nobles began to intrigue with Babur to dislodge Ibrahim Lodi. In his encounter with the people of his own race, Babur took a lesson that only way to establish a large empire is to go beyond Indus and win Hindustan. Babur started contemplating winning India, but till the age of 36 years, he could not take anything beyond Kabul & Ghazni.

• The first attack of Babur in India was on Bajaur in 1519 with 2000 horsemen. It was followed by capture of Bhira on Jhelum River in Punjab. Babur claimed this land in right of his great Grandson Timur’s conquest a century ago. But he was repelled by the Hindus and Babur’s occupation was nothing but a fleeting raid.

The discontent at Delhi led Aalam Khan , one of the uncles of Ibrahim Lodi and a claimant to the throne of Delhi flee to Kabul and appeal him for “action”, which was already “granted”.

• Gun Powder was used for the first time during his expedition to Bajaur. In successive expeditions he used Gun powder and Canons which were perhaps new to the Indians.

Prior to take on Ibrahim Lodi, Babur had led 4 expeditions. In one of these expeditions he was able to defeat Daulat Khan Lodi, the Governor of Punjab. The Kabul troops of Babur routed the Lahore troops of Daulat Khan and plundered Lahore Bazaars. Babur rested only for 4 days in the Capital then passed to Dipalpur, sacked the town and massacred the soldiers and civilians. Alam Khan was appointed at Dipalpur and a Mongol was also left to watch this coat changer. Then he returned Kabul. His fifth and final expedition was in November 1525 which ended in 1526 with victory at Delhi.