The First Battle of Panipat, on 21 April 1526, was fought between the invading forces of Babur and the

Lodi Kingdom. It took place in north India and

marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire and the end of the Delhi Sultanate. This was one of the earliest battles involving gunpowder
firearms and field artillery in the Indian subcontinent which were introduced by Mongols in this battle.[5]

The battle of Panipat between the armies of Babur and Ibrahim Lodi (1526). Babur was invited by Daulat Khan Lodi to enter India and defeat Ibrahim Lodi. [6] An
illustration to the Vaqi 'at-i Baburi, by Deo Gujarati, c. 1590

Contents
 1Background

 2Battle

o 2.1Advantage of cannons in the battle

o 2.2Tactics

 3Aftermath

 4See also

 5References

 6Sources

Background[edit]
After losing Samarkand for the second time, Babur gave attention to conquer India as he reached the banks of the Chenab in 1519.[7] Until 1524, his
aim was to only expand his rule to Punjab, mainly to fulfil his ancestor Timur's legacy, since it used to be part of his empire.[8] At that time, parts of
north India were under the rule of Ibrahim Lodi of the Lodi dynasty, but the empire was crumbling and there were many defectors. He received
invitations from Daulat Khan Lodi, Governor of Punjab and Ala-ud-Din, uncle of Ibrahim. [9] He sent an ambassador to Ibrahim, asking him to get
punished by him and he is rightful to the throne of the country, however the ambassador was detained at Lahore and released months later. [7]
Babur started for Lahore, Punjab, in 1524 but found that Daulat Khan Lodi had been driven out by forces sent by Ibrahim Lodi. [10] When Babur arrived
at Lahore, the Lodi army marched out and was routed.[10] In response, Babur burned and punished the people of Lahore for two days, then marched to
Dipalpur, placing Alam Khan, another rebel uncle of Lodi's, as governor. Alam Khan was quickly overthrown and fled to Kabul. In response, Babur
supplied Alam Khan with troops who later joined up with Daulat Khan Lodi and together with about 30,000 troops, they besieged Ibrahim Lodi at Delhi.
[11]
He defeated them and drove Alam's army off; and Babur realised Lodi would not allow him to occupy the Punjab. [11]

Battle[edit]
Hearing of the size of Ibrahim's army, Babur secured his right flank against the city of Panipat, while digging a trench covered with tree branches to
secure his left flanks. In the center, he placed 700 carts tied together with ropes. Between every two carts there were breastworks for his
matchlockmen. Babur also ensured there was enough space for his cavalry to charge between these carts. [12]
When Ibrahim's army arrived, he found the approach to Babur's army too narrow to attack. While Ibrahim redeployed his forces to allow for the
narrower front, Babur quickly took advantage of the situation to flank (tulghuma) the Lodi army.[1] Many of Ibrahim's troops were unable to get into
action, and fled when the battle turned against Ibrahim. [13] Faced with musket fire, cannon fire and cavalry attacks from all sides, Ibrahim Lodi fought
and died with 6,000 of his remaining troops.[1]

Advantage of cannons in the battle[edit]

Babur's guns proved decisive in battle, firstly because Ibrahim lacked any field artillery, but also because the sound of the cannon frightened Ibrahim's
elephants, causing them to trample his own men. [2]

Tactics[edit]
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Babur introduced field guns at Panipat, 1526

Tactics used by Babur were the tulguhma and the araba. Tulguhma meant dividing the whole army into various units, viz. the Left, the Right and the
Centre. The Left and Right divisions were further subdivided into Forward and Rear divisions. Through this a small army could be used to surround the
enemy from all sides. The Centre Forward division was then provided with carts (araba) which were placed in rows facing the enemy and tied to each
other with animal hide ropes. Behind them were placed cannons protected and supported by mantlets which could be used to easily maneuver the
cannons. These two tactics made Babur's artillery lethal. The cannons could be fired without any fear of being hit, as they were shielded by the bullock
carts held in place by hide ropes. The heavy cannons could also be easily traversed onto new targets, as they could be maneuvered by the mantlets
which were on wheels.

Aftermath[edit]
Ibrahim Lodi died on the field of battle along with 20,000 of his troops. The battle of Panipat was militarily a decisive victory. Politically it gained Babur
little, and initiated a new phase of his establishment of the Mughal empire. [14]

See also[edit]
 Battle of Khanwa

 Second Battle of Panipat

 Third Battle of Panipat

 Battle of Ghaghra which was the last battle Babur fought in India and consolidated his empire