Battle of Khanwa, 1527
The Battle of Khanwa, fought on March 16, 1527, was a pivotal moment in Indian history. It marked the beginning of Mughal rule in India and the end of the Rajput’s attempt to establish Hindu rule.
Background of Battle of Khanwa
The Battle of Khanwa was fought between the Mughal army led by Babur and a combined Rajput confederacy led by Rana Sanga. The Rajputs had gathered under Sanga’s leadership to establish Hindu rule in India and end Mughal dominance. However, the Mughal artillery, equipped with canons, caused havoc in the Rajput ranks and turned their elephants into a stampede. The Rajputs, unfamiliar with the use of canons, attempted to silence them by stuffing themselves into the mouths of the canons. The maximum loss was caused by the Mughal cavalry, and the Rajputs soon began to flee in every direction. The great Rajput army disintegrated into a disordered crowd, and their gallantry was turned into a massacre.
The Aftermath of the Battle
Rana Sanga, wounded, fled the battle assisted by Rao Maldev. He vowed not to return to Chittor until he defeated Babur. In fear that Sanga was pushing the Rajputs towards another battle, his own knights poisoned him, and this was the end of “Hindupat” who was once thought to establish Hindu rule in India. The battle was so devastating for the Rajputs that all the remaining kingdoms fell one by one without much resistance. Rana Sanga was the last Hindu king who tried to establish Hindu rule in India, and all castes of Rajputs made a confederacy under him. The fallen Rajput chiefs were beheaded, and their heads were raised in a ghastly tower erected by the victors.
Significance in Indian History
The Battle of Khanwa was a decisive moment in Indian history. It established Mughal rule in India and ended the Rajputs’ attempt to establish Hindu rule. Babur assumed the title “Ghazi” after this battle, signifying his status as a Muslim warrior who had fought and won against non-believers. The battle also marked the beginning of a new era in Indian history, as the Mughal empire would go on to rule India for centuries.
