Battle of Ghaghra

After establishing himself as the emperor of Delhi following the Battle of Khanwa, Babur faced relatively little opposition from the Rajputs. However, he still had one major challenge to overcome in the form of the Lodis, who had long been vying for control of the Delhi Throne. In 1529, Babur faced off against Muhammad Lodi, the brother of Ibrahim, the last Lodi claimant to the throne, at the Battle of Ghaghra.

Ending the Challenge of the Lodis

The Battle of Ghaghra was a pivotal moment in Babur’s reign, as it marked the end of the Lodis’ challenge to his rule. Muhammad Lodi had been joined by the Sultan of Bengal, Nusrat Shah, but they were ultimately defeated by Babur’s forces. After the battle, Nusrat Shah accepted peace terms with Babur, effectively ending the Lodis’ attempts to regain control of the Delhi Throne.

Consolidating Power

With the Lodis out of the way, Babur was free to consolidate his power and engage the Jagirs, or estates, to his royal nobles. He continued to strengthen his hold on the region, cementing his status as the undisputed emperor of Delhi.

The Decline of Babur’s Health

Unfortunately, Babur’s reign was cut short by the ill effects of heavy drinking and Hashish intoxication, which took a toll on his health. Despite his relatively young age of 47, he died in his garden palace in Agra on December 26, 1530, from an unknown disease.

Legacy of Babur

Despite his relatively brief reign, Babur left a lasting legacy in the region. He is still celebrated as a national hero in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, the countries where he was born and raised. His tomb lies in Kabul, the city he had always loved and chosen for himself, surrounded by the people he loved and the fragrance of flowers.