The Arrival of the Mughal Empire (Part 2): The Battle of Khanwa and Babur's Clash with Rana Sanga

If the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 was the opening chapter in the rise and fall of the Mughal Empire, then the Battle of Khanwa in 1527 was undoubtedly its most thrilling and decisive turning point. When Babur ascended the throne of Delhi, he knew his true test was yet to come. The real powerhouse of North India at the time was not the Delhi Sultan, but the fearless Rajput king of Mewar, Rana Sangram Singh—popularly known to history as Rana Sanga.

Following the Battle of Panipat, Babur assumed the Rajputs would remain quiet. However, Rana Sanga had other plans. He forged a massive coalition by uniting the remnants of the Afghan Lodi dynasty with other Rajput rulers. Their sole objective was simple: drive the foreign invader, Babur, out of the country.

The Fear of the Rajputs and Babur’s Do-or-Die Stand

On the eve of the Battle of Khanwa, Babur’s army was on the verge of a psychological collapse. Rumours of Rana Sanga’s legendary bravery and the tactical prowess of the Rajput warriors sent waves of panic through the Mughal camp. To make matters worse, an astrologer predicted that Babur’s defeat was certain. Sensing the broken morale of his men, Babur realized that this war could not be won with weapons alone; it required immense mental strength.

At this critical juncture, Babur executed a masterstroke. Standing before his demoralized soldiers, he delivered a deeply emotional and stirring speech. He declared that this was no ordinary war for territorial conquest, but a holy war—a "Jihad." To prove his devotion, he publicly smashed all his wine vessels and vowed never to touch alcohol again. He managed to convince his men that victory would crown them as "Ghazis," while death would grant them the honor of being "Martyrs." This powerful rhetoric worked like magic, reigniting the fading fire in the veins of the Mughal soldiers.

The Battlefield: March 17, 1527

The two armies clashed on the plains of Khanwa, located about 60 kilometers from Agra. Rana Sanga’s forces vastly outnumbered Babur’s. However, Babur held two trump cards: advanced artillery and the "Tulughma" tactical formation, which had previously brought him success at Panipat.

As the battle commenced, the Rajputs charged at the Mughals with their traditional, fierce bravery. Yet, their conventional cavalry and swords stood little chance against the devastating fire of Mughal cannons and gunpowder. Terrified by the roaring artillery, the Rajput war elephants panicked, turning around and trampling their own infantry.

The Turning Point and Final Outcome

At the height of the fierce fighting, a stray arrow struck Rana Sanga, severely wounding him and knocking him unconscious. Seeing their commander fall, the morale of the Rajput forces crumbled. Although the king was quickly evacuated to a safe location, his absence triggered widespread chaos within the ranks.

Babur seized this opportunity completely. By late afternoon, the Mughal forces had established total control over the battlefield, securing a decisive and historic victory.

Significance of the Battle

The Battle of Khanwa was the true cornerstone that solidified the foundation of the Mughal Empire. While Panipat had given Babur the throne of Delhi, Khanwa established him as the undisputed ruler of North India. Following this victory, Babur officially assumed the title of "Ghazi." Rana Sanga’s defeat shattered the Rajput dream of reclaiming Delhi, paving the way for nearly three centuries of Mughal rule in India.