First Battle of Panipat
1526 · Panipat (Haryana, modern India) · World · Medieval
Babur combined a wagon-and-artillery formation with envelopment on both flanks; the Delhi army's war elephant phalanx fell into chaos and trampled its own ranks, and Ibrahim was killed in battle.
Belligerents
Timurids (Mughals)
- Commanders
- Babur
- Strength
- Central Asian firearms and cavalry force
Delhi Sultanate (Lodi dynasty)
- Commanders
- Ibrahim Lodi
- Strength
- Delhi army, reportedly huge, with war elephants
Background
Babur repeatedly invaded Punjab and, at the invitation of some Indian nobles, marched straight on Delhi against Sultan Ibrahim.
Course of the battle
- DeploymentBabur formed up behind defensive works made of carts and artillery.
- ChargeThe Delhi army's war elephants and cavalry charged head-on into the wagon line and the bombardment.
- EnvelopmentMughal cavalry on both flanks enveloped the enemy; the Delhi army fell into chaos and Ibrahim was killed in battle.
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1526 |
|---|---|
| Place | Panipat (in present-day Haryana, India) |
| Result | Babur combined a wagon-and-artillery formation with envelopment on both flanks; the Delhi army's war elephant phalanx fell into chaos and trampled its own ranks, and Ibrahim was killed in battle. |
| Winner | Timurids (Mughals) |
| Casualties | The Delhi army suffered heavy losses, and the sultan himself was killed in battle. |
| Territorial change | The Delhi Sultanate fell, and Babur went on to found the Mughal Empire. |
Impact
The Delhi Sultanate fell, and Babur went on to found the Mughal Empire.
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