151 19 THE MUGHAL EMPIRE The flourishing economic conditions and the Indo-Muslim frontiers during the medieval India and new links with Europe Paved the way for an independent imperial state to emerge in North India. These favourable conditions made it known that such a state would come to light and would be ruled by the Timurids. The Mughal empire was the result of a protracted political endeavour iti and its inception to a large extent was due to the unique abilities and good fortune of its o The Afghans were the arch rivals and Persians to establish their control in number of Afghan traders and fighters Afghanistan and settled down in the plains dynasty like Buhlol Lodi claimed their origi riding and fighting horses were in great der large number of Afghans had settled on tl Peasantry. of the Mughals, They had overthrown Turks northern India. During the Lodi reign a large had moved from the mountain areas of of north India. Some of the founders of Lodi in to the overland horse business. The fine mand in Northern India. For this Purpose a he land as local lords and controlled Hindu Zaheer-ud-Din Muhammad Babur Babur, an enchanting and charismatic character of history was born on Friday the 24th February, 1483 AD. As the Mughals found it difficult to say his name correctly, they called him Babur which meant Tiger in Turki. Babur is identified by the future Senerations as the founding father of the Mughal dynasty which held its dominance on Indian empire for a long time. He was a descendent of Timur the Lame on his father's side, while he claimed ntage from his mother side to the great Mongol Chingiz Khan. As such his veins 22 filed to the brim with the blood of two fearsome scourges of ‘South Asia’ — Timur and Chingiz which made him a ferocious and dauntless warrior who dethroned the Lodi "ants to sow the seeds of the Mughal empire. Babur was born at Andijan, the capital of Farghana which was held by his father heikh Mirza, He was born to Umar Sheikh Mirza and kutlak Nigar Khanum the reetdants of Amir Timur and Chingiz Khan. Thus Babur seal ce Unequaled rs Hero 4 ity of the Turks. He a of and capacity J Ah whan ay fa Bosn reo ene rcs of age 8d ferogj indus to lay the first bri 2 Toit less Hin King om he eS taued the el his great and illustrious grandson Akbar. From his bis parey Umar g)— fh Majid, his family teacher and Ahsan Daulat g influence on Babur's career. Sheikh Majid taught im, his grandmother gave him lessons on th aq in . ng autobiography it reveals that Sheik! his maternal grandmother had grea Turki, Persian and poetry, while intricacies of administration Babur's acquaintance with India began in the last twelve years of tis jfg early years were consumed in futile bids to protect his rule is Babur as King of Farghana (1494-1502 AD) Umar Sheikh Mirza died in June 1494 leaving his kingdom Farghana for his young son Babur to ascend the throne. Babur was 11 years of age when called upon ascend the throne. After ascending the throne Babur found himself hemmed in from all sides by menacing enemies. His adversaries were his own kinsmen and near Telatives led by Shaibani Khan, the Uzbeg chieftain, with whom Babur had to fight many battles ensure his survival. Babur with the help of his nobles and loyal citizens was able to ‘overcome all hurdles and establish himself on the throne. After securing his position a5 king of Farhana, Babur set himself to the important task of consolidating his county n the wake of foreign incursions. For this purpose he thought of some conquests. He took ‘on his uncle Ahmed Mirza to get off the Kingdom of Farghana. But Ahmed refused to obliged. and a war broke out in which Ahmed Mirza was made to flee to Samargand Farghana was thus protected Now Babur cast his eyes on Samargand. He decided to conquer Samarqand and place himself on the throne of mighty Timur. Babur liked Samarkand very much and was fascinated by its beauty which had many colleges, mosques and beautiful gardens. He attacked Samarkand in 1496 but could not capture it. Babur made another attempt to conquer Samarkand in 1497. This time he was successful, but Babur could not hold Sarmarkand for long. He fell seriously ill at Samarkand. Some of the nobles, taking advantage of his illness raised their head in Farghana. He had to run to Farghana to que! the uprising. But unfortunately Farghana could not be rescued as Andijan, its capital had already been occupied by the insurgents. He retuned to Samarkand dejected and disappointed, but Samarkand too had fallen to the dissidents Difficult time of Babur's Career As mentioned already Babur became the king of Farghana at the raw age of '! years. No lad ever in his life had been confronted with such highly vulnerable momen's which pushed the untrained and untried Babur to the peak of his burning ambitions He wanted to wear the crown where Timur ruled at Samarkand and yearned to hold sway over the empire of his forefathers. Nothing less was to pacify him But the.road 10 t realization of dream was an uphill task littered with hazardous events making it difficult? accomplish the desired goal. Babur's road to his cherished empire was controlled by ns grudging relatives, disloyal chieftains and fast expanding power of the Uzbeg tribes. Babur tried to occupy Timur's throne but was not able to hold the empire for Twice he was expelled to wander. The loss of Farghana and Samarkand rendered " homeless moving from one place to another and sometime finding a sanctuary 9 the hu! of nomads to sustain the selfish and ill-mannered care of his mother's mongal relations . fs the northern India. He went through immense misery and torture for ten !ond yea iThe Mughal Empire _ 153 ed on soring memories of defeat ai on ‘vere Baburs unique attributes, he inal auetene Nem peurege: enc forte by Timur's descendants after his ravaging attack on india, Ba S vcietenkeud hi wingaorn wth the Amir of Afghanistan though very difficult to h dint S pevehcs.or rebellious and distrustful tribes and mountainous barricade. 0 in Nias ceerrelicoal abut ceaselessly hankered after recapturing his mother Be erent Bap was ot eTOUgh oF highly ambious Babu whe ha wie led Semarang. In the meantime Shaibani Khan had i n. Nobody could think of blocking his ishg anda EU eed a ct hrowing @ gauntlet to Shaibani Khan and quietly watched the over The tormed Qandhar and their movement stirred Babur. There was an uprising in of Shaibani's domain which forced him to lift the siege of Qandhar. It enabled return to his capital. At this moment Babur assumed the title of Padishah. emperor. The reminiscences of Samarkand and Farghana often caused him restiveness and he finally decided to attack Samarkand. Ismail, the founder of the Safi dynasty of Persia had destroyed Shaibani Khan which set an incentive for Babur to raid Samarkand to dislodge the Uzbeks. With Ismail on his side, Babur marched against the Uzbeks. He was warmly welcomed by the people Babur easily captured Bukhara from where -he hed towards Sarmakand and captured it in October 1511 Khoras@! think of t Uzbeks SI some part Babur 10 marc Even after overwhelming Samarkand Babur's condition was not secure. When he Persia against Shaibani Khan he had to entered into an alliance with Shah Ismail of it and they embrace Shia faith because Shah Ismail demanded it. His people did not like i lost confidence in him. The people began to call him an apostate. Babur stayed for eight months in Samarkand enjoying his new life. But he was shocked to know that the Uzbegs led by Shalbani's son were planning to attack Bukhara. On learning about Uzbek's designs of raiding Bokara, Babur at once marched against them to quell the uprising. But unfortunately Babur was defeated by the Uzbegs and Samarkand was lost for the third time The disastrous failure of his third attempt to.recover Samarkand greatly pained Babur who was persuaded that nothing was left for him in Cental Asia He was convinced that the road to build an empire led down the passes into the plains of India. When he was trying to organize the unsettled tribes of his kingdom at Kabul, his thoughts often went back to east and many of his expeditions took him very near the Indian borders. After twenty years he now panned fo start conquest of India Babur's Initial Expeditions of India Before embarking upon Indian conquest, begin his Indian campaign. In 1519 he attacked Bajaur n the Indian borderland near Chiral and conquered it which was a preliminary step From Bajaur he moved to Bhera on the Jehium and captured it tao in 1819. Babur had now treaded upon the Punjab and Ciaimed it as a right of his forefather “Timur's conquest. He left Bhera in the charge of Find Beg and turned back to Kabul. After sometime the people of Bhera raised head and forced Babur to leave their territory. Babar launched several expeditions to awar but abandoned it due to uprising in In 1519 he advanced upto Pesh é nd marched on to Silakot which he captured Badakhshan. In 1520 he recovered Bherawithout any resistance. in 1524 he launched his fourth expedition to India. Daulat ~ Lodhi who was against Ibrahim invited him to invade India. Babur jumped hay invitation. He occupied Lahore, Jullandhar and Dipalpur easily. After the war Dauiay N the was disappointed as he wanted to become the ruler of Punjab, but he only 9Ot Jaliy han and Sultanpur. He turned against Babar and revolted but was defeated Mdhay Babur's advisers suggested to him to send an emissary to Ibrahim Lodhi demand that the areas which belonged to the Turks should be reinstated, But pet! Khan Lodhi detained the emissary for five months at Lahore. He returned after months without a reply, Babur returned to Kabul. In 1520 Badakhshan was captureg ."" Humayun given the charge. After two years Qandhar was annexed from the Arghung c ng put under Kamran Mirza, Babur's younger son. and After the annexations Babur felt relieved from Afghan pressure. During pi absence the Indians recovered their territory. Now Babur turned his focus on India andi was not until 1524 that he undertook the campaign more seriously which’ culminatey in conquest of Hindustan. Ibrahim Lodhi, the Afghan ruler at Delhi was extremely unpopular and his leadin, nobles revolted against him due to his dictatorial rule and tendency of spilling blood of innocent people. The nobles lost their patience when Ibrahim Lodhi treated Dilawar Khan, the son of Daulat Khan Lodhi brutally. Daulat Khan Lodhi felt immensely exasperateg over the savage treatment meted out to his son, he invited Babur at Kabul to invade India. The invitation was a godsend for Babur who was keenly watching the prevailing circumstances of India to strike at an opportune moment. Babur embarked on his Indian campaign in 1524. He set out from Kabul in 1524 and marched upon Lahore where he wiped out Afghan army. But Daulat Khan Lodhi who had assured his allegience let aown Babur and deserted at a crucial moment. Babur did not care for his annoyance and tried to pacify him by giving him Jallundhar and Sultanpur But Daulat Khan Lodhi lost favour | because of his intrigues. His fiefs were handed over to Dilawar Khan who had informed about his plans to Babur. After handing Diplalpur over to Alam Khan Babur returned to Kabul. Babur's return to Kabul left the field open: for Daulat Khan Lodhi. He expelled his own son from Sultanpur and pushed Alam Khan from Dipalpur. Alam Khan joined hands with Babur. He agreed to relinquish Lahore and some area to Babur if he were placed on the throne of Delhi But Alam Khan, a powerless daredevil, turned against Babur and backed out of his agreement at the prompting of Daulat Khan Lodhi. Both Daulat Khan Lodhi and Alam Khan jointly attacked Ibrahim Lodhi who inflicted a crushing defeat up0" them. Daulat Khan Lodhi and Alam Khan fled leaving a large number of dead soldiers 0" the battlefield. First Battle of Panipat 1526 In November 1525 Babur set off from Kabul and reached Lahore. He it Lahore without any resistance. Babur was very keen to conquer India as the great Raje leader Rana Sangha and some other Indian chiefs encouraged him to strike at annest! |The Mug Empire 155 d that Babur like hi wron I perceive IS grandfa THe on abur had diferent plans about ind ther Timur would come for short visit 0 When he reached the Punjab Daulat Kt «supur Babur showing enormous mnedheniait te sau pardon for his intrigues the possession of his tribal areas but snatched the rest of his bot ie Thon panied was captured easily, but to subjugate Delhi was a more detiandtigiaet Hehe tp fight not only against few tribes but against the whole Strength of a rai oeiabi fad empire i? a country with which he was not fully at home. However these dauntini i : peoks did not deter him and he fearlessly kept on marching towards Delhi ated again’ When Ibrahim Lodhi came to know about Babur's approach towards Delhi, he ispatched two advance parties to thwart Babur's onslaught on Delhi. But the) were utterly routed and Babur easily reached Sirsawah. He now made praeatias fora decisive battle with Ibrahim Lodhi. Ibrahim Lodhi had a great army which outmaneuvered Babur’s smaller strength of soldiers. Babur realized that he could beat a huge army only py a strong combination of his highly skilled cavalry and artillery. His fighting generals ustad Ali and Mustafa were sufficiently capable of routing any opposition if assisted properly by infantry and cavalry personnel. Babur therefore paid his full attention on this aspect and fully strengthened his cavalry and infantry The unyielding battle was fought on April 21, 1526 on the blat land of Panipat, the historic venue where the struggle for Delhi throne had been launched and, won thrice. Babur raised seven hundred gun-carts. At Panipat Babur was equipped both with matchlockman and field cannons which he used with extreme proficiency against the cavalry of Ibrahim Lodhi. The town was on his right, his left was protected by ditches and abatis of trees, while he placed his cannons and matchlocks in the centre. Babur launched a night attack on 20" April on Lodhi's positions which failed due tp utter confusion caused by darkness but forced the Afghan forces to come out of their camp Ibrahim Lodhi feeling happy and confident on the success of his troops repulsing the night attack brought his army out at dawn on 21" April, 1526 on the battlefield. Ibrahim Lodhi came to the battlefield with 100,000 soldiers and 100 elephants, Babur, for awhile was dumbstruck to see a mammoth force infront of him. 5 much bigger in size than Babur's smaller army, yet it Though Ibrahim's army wa isted of soldiers of fortune who have was considered a weaker army as it was mostly const been hired to fight on the Afghan side. The two armies stood eyeball to eyeball for eight days without moving. Baburs patience at last gave in and he decided to take action. In the meanwhile Babur noticed some movement of Ibrahim's soldiers. He at once ordered his men to put on their helmets and stick to their positions. He divided his men in the traditional manner of the East info three sections, the right, centre and left, while the Mongols were posted on the extreme right and left with the orders to apply their national tactics the tulughma, a ‘amous Mongol device which made lethal impact on the enemy. The Afghan army charged at a fast speed aiming at Babur's right. Babur Sispatched his reserve to protect his right. The Afghans kept on pushing relentlessly. But when the Afghan army came near the ditches, abatis and hurdles they became confusedwhether to attack or fall back As the pressure from behind kept on Pressin incertitude befell the Afghan troops which Babur fully exploited to his Advantage’ ie employed his flanking parties on both extremes and they sped round ire nen tee pelted down their arrows in torrents into the rear. The right and left WINS pusher 24 and the centre threw out fire with lethal intensity The battle Continued intense ang! Afghan army was ehgaged on all sides. The Afghan wings were forced into dread of indecision by Babur's flankers. They were mercilessly encircled on all sides ang att and artillery heavily lashed down on the hopelessly besieged Afghan troops Usta and Mustafa, the two master gunners of Babur, fell on the unruly Afghan crows, Geath-dealing ferocity, Though the soldiers fought with courage but the itremed, Confusion that followed added miseries to the Delhi army who lay at the mercy of g® and sturdy Turks and Mongols who pounced on the smothered ranks with let. impact NO showed 5 led sustaini Ai By noon the enornmous army of Sultan Ibrahim was crushed wh Clean pair of heels to save their lives. Sultan's army was completely rout huge losses. Nearly fifteen thousand men were killed on the battlefield Ibrahim Loy, died fighting bravely. His dead body lay in a heap of corpses. His severed head was Produced before Babur and a massive booty came to Babur. With this the kingdom of Delhi fell in Babur's lap giving way to a majestic Mughal empire to emerge to rule the sup. continent for centuries to come. “Two detachments were al once dispatched to occup, Delhi and Agra and on Friday, Apri, 27, 1526, the public prayer was said in the mosque of the capital in the name of the new Emperor, the first of the ‘Great Mughals'"" Babur distributed the massive war spoils that fell in his hands among his kinsmen ang soldiers, Babur demonstrated extreme generosity while distributing war booty When the war ended he followed Humayun to Agra. Humayun received hin warmly and presented to him the wonderful Koh-i-Noor diamond which Babur, being magnanimous, returned to his son. Babur did not go after accumulating wealth or Precious stones and always was prepared to give away to others more needy. His lavish benevolence to dole out the enormous war booty won him the proud title of Kalanden with which he was content. Though Babur had seated himself on the throne of Delhi but not as yet established his hold over whole of India. He was a king only in name of the vast dominion of India which spread from the Indus to Bihar and from Gwalior to the Himalayas. Though the Lodhi dynasty had been toppled with its king slaughtered, but that was still not completely subdued as the late Ibrahim Lodhi had left behind a brother to make his claim on the throne. Babur had to face many other problems to consolidate his position as the king of India. The people were not used to the crude way of speaking of their vanquishe's and every town big and small and insignificant rulers raised their heads with defen posture. Particularly the citadels of the Doab and Rajputana fortified against attacks a resisted the aliens in unison. Despite the enormous war booty Babur's tropps were nea starvation. Babur himself narrates the horrifying state of affairs of India at the time one conquest, “When | came to Agra, he says, it was that hot season. All the iat as from terror, so that we could find neither grain for ourselves nor fodder for our be: 1 Stanley Lane-Pool, "Mediaval India", p. 203The Mughal Empire 157 illag! The ve The roads becal Us, had taker aurea Pati mathe impassable. | had not Radu anarchy, thieving, and megs, 10 56" fo Occupy and protect the diferent pargsnos on en ot nl Babur's officers extremely disliked 4 od thelr anvlety-to retum to thelr he meee weather of India and rounding of Kabul and began to whisper. After eae al for the cool and. tranquil were eager to Sail back home. They were not very oe ii share of war booty, they pabur convened the meeting of his senior commanders. oa Tee appeal to them. He recollected their past hard work and the ion ond Soar ages and reminded them that all these were undertaken to accomplish the goal ‘and he reward Was with them in shape of humbling of a mightly foe. He asked ei a i tum back from all we have achieved and flee back to Kabul like a man who have been humbled. He in plain words told his officers that no man who calls himself a friend of mine should ever think of betraying me and going back to Kabul without consolidating our hard won achievement, and if anyone of you cannot stay on then he is allowed to go. Babur's poignant eloquence worked and stirred the blood of his officers who feeling repentant kept mum and never again thought of going back. Babur with his firm approach was able to pull his enemies too on his side, An Afghan noble joined Babur alongwith his, few thousand valuable loyal servants. A powerful chief whose sons had been pardoned by Babur, also joined. Hamayun moved with an army to subdue insurgent Afghan nobles in the east. Hamayun occupied Jaunpur and Ghazipur and moved back through Kalpai to be with his father in difficult time. Babur remained at Agra planning to deal with the Rajputs who were creating problems. At this moment a futile attempt was made to poison Babur by the mother of Ibrahim Lodhi. Battle of Kanwah 1527, Rana Sanga of Mewar Slowly and gradually Babur consolidated his hold on Hindustan. But 2 frightening foe was sill tobe dealt with. Rana Sanga of Chitor was a menacing threat who had a massive army at his disposal. Rana Sanga belonged to the noble background of Sisdia and was famous all over Rajasthan as an extraordinary prince. He was an extremely brave and valourous prince who fought wars against his neighbours and expanded his tiny Kingdom of Mewar. He had attempted a number of successful military operations against the ruler of Mewar. He had trounced Bhilsa, Sarangpir, Chanderi_ and Ranthanbhore. One hundered and twenty great feudal lords with 60,000, horses and 500 war elephants had joined him. The kings of Marwar and Amber, Gwaliar, Ajmir, Chanderi Sits, Raisin, Kalpai, Bundi, Gangroan, Rampura and Abu all offered allegience to Rana and paid tribute as his vassals. All these people Were always teady with their full Tesources to respond to the beck and call of the great Rajput fighter who had sustained eighty wounds in his body and had lost an eye and an afm it the wars he fought against his foes. Rana Sanga fully exploited the weakness of the Delhi Kingdom and constant infighting of the Afghan barons to reinforce his capability without any hindrance. He made an indelible impact of his power in Central India ‘and Gujarat and greatly enhanced the cE gueeegie eae 2 Ibid, p. 205honour and repute of his clan: His antagonists praised his bravery and iron Will. Baby who saw in him a fearsome enemy acknowledges that Rana accomplished hig Posi ur by fearlessness and power of sword. It was but natural that Babur's soldiers bey ca frightened to find a crowd of well-equipped soldiers led by the greatest Hindu Watt the time. Before meeting as belligerents both Babur and Rana Sanga had Negotia agreement in Kabul to deal with Ibrahim jointly, but Rana backed out. Both accusaq each other of stabbing in the back and the Rana occupied Kalpai, Dholpur and Biyana Which were under Babur's officers. The Rana marched towards Biyana where he was jOineg Hassan Khan Mewati. Babur had captured the son of Hassan Khan in the battle of Panipat and had confined him in custody. Hassan Khan Mewati had been begging Baby, to release his son, Babur showing big-heartedness released the boy expecting that his act of benevolence would be appreciated by the Mewati lord. But it proved to be a fong hope because the moment the boy was released his father turned against Babur ang came on Rana's side to fight against Babur. This naked betrayal immensely offendeg Babur who made up his mind to meet the Rana in the battlefield ted an The Rana and Hassan Khan Mewati had formed a confederacy which extremely annoyed Babur. The Rana moved towards Biana. Babur dispatched a Patrol force towards the fortress and asked his troops to engage the enemy. He himself moved with his main force to the battlefield on 11th February, 1527 and encamped at Sikri a village near Fathehpur the forlorn city of Akbar. So far Babur had fought against his fellow Muslims whom he easily vanquished He never had the chance to come face to face the dauntless and chivalrous resistence as the Rajputs did not care for life when fighting for their honour and prestige. It was the fist time he was marching against the uncivilized, godless and brutish Rajputs, it was the Jihad, the holy war. The godless and irreligious Rajputs were top notch fighters. Though Babur had fought against Mongols, the Uzbegs, the Afghans and his own Turks, but he was now to meet warriors of a higher order whom he had not encountered before. It was @ war of life and death for the infidle Rajputs who readily embraced death and destruction even when pitched against mightier foe. The detachment sent by Babur to check the advancing Rajputs was repulsed. But now he ordered his army in battle array. His soldiers became panicky by the reports of Rajput strength and bravery Babur engaged himself in war preparation. Like Panipat he put the gun-carriages to cover his front and fastened them together at a distance of five feet. Where there were no guns a trench was excavated supported by wooden tripods on wheels These preparations consumed twenty-five days and were meant to reinstitute the wobbling confidence of the troops While Babur was busy in war preparations, an astrologer emerged from Kabul whom Babur called a rascally fellow, who unsettled the army by his gloomy predictions However Babur paid no heed to the warnings of the stupid forecaster and adopted measures to inspire his soldiers and revive hope and fervour into their hearts. Babur ga” up wine drinking, smashed his drinking bowls and splashed the stockpile of liquo! ” ground. He pledged solemnly not to drink wine again in life To reinforce his a temperance Babur made an emotional appeal.to his officers and soldiers. He addres his men as follows:The Mughal Empire 159 than to ve 1” The most beneficent God has put us in a crisis that if we die in t of God Let us then swear In unison by the great name of God that none of us sues ie face from the battlefield of turning his or shirk from thi oT paid fom our bodies le pressure and pain of the battle til The response was wholehearted. Every man pledged the emperor in all circumstances eed ote quran to stand By Rana Sanga threw a huge army in the battlefield which outnumbered Babur's men in numerical strength Rana Sanga had formed a confederacy with other influential Rajput overlords who joined him with considerable resources. Silahadi the Bhilsa ruler joined the Rana with thirty thousand horses. Hassan Khan Mewati came with twelve thousand, Medini Rao of Chanden with twelve thousand and Rawal Uda! Singh Dungarpur joined with twelve thousand horses. Sultan Mahmood Lodhi, a son of Skander Lodhi. whom Rana Sanga had greeted as the King of Delhi also came on Rana's side with ten thousand soldiers of fortune There were also some insignificant chiefs who brought their men to join the confederacy Babur's army was stationed near Kanwah. a small villace situated at a distance often miles from Sikri On Saturday March 16, 1527. the two armies came face to face with each other at Kanwah. The Rajputs attacked Babur's right which Babur successfully repulsed with the help of his reserves and shelling fire with his artillery from the centre, The Rajputs charged with full force against canons throwing fire and the fight became more and more violent and frenzied. Babur employed the same tactics as at Panipat After several hours of hand to hand fight Babur ordered his flanking support to attack like the Mongols and at the same time ordered his guns to move forward and asked his attacking troops to attack and fire on the enemy. This combined tactics took the enemy by surprise. There was a great confusion in Rajputs ranks who were pressed into a |umbled crowd. The fight prolonged and turned into a slaughter. Ustad Ali's huge fire balls proved havoc and ultimately the trumpted chivalry of Rajputs extinguished giving up hope and fleeing battlefield leaving behind mountain of slaughtered fighters. Many chiefs who had formed a confederacy against Babur fell in the war and the heads of the Rajput nobles were erected in a terrifying tower assembled by their victor. Rana Sanga, badly Wounded, escaped and died ignominiously. The terrible defeat of Rana Sanga put an enc o Rajput vanity and chivalry which at times appeared mythical and superficial. 7 Rajput prestige and legendary valour lay shattered and scattered on the battlefield Kenwah and no other ruler of his line ever dared again fo challenge the Mughals again Battle of Chanderi 1528 Though Babur had overwhelmed Rajputs at Kanwah but he was not able ic 'mpose his hold all over India as yet At Kanwan the confederacy of brave Raip 'ag chieftains was crushed. Chanderi was one of the main garrison of the great Rajput Vez, Medini Rao of Malwa. Babur stormed the fortress of Chanderi eu reached Chandy on 20 January 1528. Babur laid a siege around the eee ere Medini Rao Wa sheltering with his 5000 followers. Medini Rao refused to conclude any agreement wi Babur. He turned down Babur's offer of a Jagir in lieu of Chander, Babur then attack, the fort of Chanden from all sides The Rajputs fought bravely but lost the battle in Which all perished. When the fort fell the reckless Rajputs soldiers killed their women and children and rushed violently towards the Muslims to be slaughtered On 29 Janua 1528 the fort of Chanderi was captured and the Rajput meance was resolved once and for all Battle of Ghagra 1529 Despite the fact that the Rajput nuisance had been put to right, but the Afghan threat has not been quelled. Mahmud Lodhi, the brother of Ibrahim Lodhi had jOined the Afghans who huddled around their ancestral king to support him. Jaunpur and Bihar gleefully welcomed him where various factions put aside their animosities for the time to support the last bid of an Afghan rehablitation. Mahmud Lodhi had a large army of 100,000 soldiers and had occupied Bihar. When Babur came to know about Afghan rebellion he immediately returned to Agra and led his army against the Afghans. Mahmud Lodhi went to Benarus and then to Chunar where he laid a siege around Chunar. Babur sent his son Askari against Mahmud Lodhi and then marched himself against Mahmud. When the Afghans learnt about Babur's march ‘they lifted their siege of Chunar and retired. When Babur moved to Buxar, a number of Afghan leaders from Allahabad, Chunar and Benaras came forward and assured Babur of their support against the rotous Afghans and their rulers finding themselves cast aside, asked for sanctuary with the Bengal army. Mahmud Lodhi had taken refuge in Bengal. The Kingdom of Bengal had always remained independent of Delhi and its ruler Nusrat Shah had assured Babur of his friendship. But providing sanctuary to Mahmud Lodhi was seen by Babur as an unfriendly gesture ana thus Babur, extremely peeved decided to put down Afghan menace even at the cost of war with Bengal. Babur's army was strengthened by 20,000 soliders from Jaunpur, he stormed Ghagra and met Bengal army. The battle of Ghagra was fought on May 6, 1529 in which the Afghans were routed. Babur's artillery, as usual shelled deadly fire on the Afghans. Nusrat Shah and Babur Concluded an agreement to respect each other's sovereignty and Nusrat Shah promised Not to give shelter to the enemies of Babur in future. With the defeat of Afghans at Chagra, the Afghan threat was subdued for ever. In the three battles Babur had brought whole of Northern India to its knees. Administration The conquest at Ghagra was his last achievement. He spent the rest of his life a Agra trying to put his new empire on rails. Time was funning out and he was extremely Pushed for time for permanent and stable organization. Most of his dominions were under unsecure control and military was the only strong and well-organized sphere of his new empire. As he had no time to make new laws and set up departmental structures for his new empire, he followed the system which he inherited from the previous rulers. He '<y a ‘ The Mughal Empire 164 vided out his et rte mona his officers and Jagirdars who extracted land-tax i the ploughers, the i les from the shopkeepers and Jiziyah from the Hindus, and id fixed amount and military service to the emperor. Babur squandered his resources pat n caused inancial deficit. He had remitted the sia np duty levied on the Muslims He gistributed the war oot ogee at Delhi and Agra due to which he had to impose aaaitional taxes to ee Ie age oa on military equipment. All the provinces from wnest to East, from Bhera and Lahore to Bahraich and Bihar to South from Sialkot to Ranthambhore Babur received the amount equal to 2.600 000 as land revenue Last years of Babur Some trouble erupted at Kabul Humayun was assigned the job of dealing with it. put he failed against the Uzbegs which extremely depressed Babur. He then decided to deal with the problem personally. Babur reached Lahore but he fell seriously ill which thwarted his march any further. Fever and restlessness joined with excessive alcohol drinking and persistant use of opium had damaged beyond repair the excellent body frame of a wonderfull individual who had tamed the ferocious adversaries Despite the regular fits of fever his toughness and vitality did not dwindle He was able to run round the rampart of the citadel with a man in his armpits. He could also swim easily in all rivers except Ganges only. He also regularly did horse riding for eighty miles a day. However all this sturdiness did not provide him a long and smooth long life and he suddenly fell ill due to excessive strain of conquests and organization of his infant empire. Babur could not get back on his feet and died at a young age of 48 years on 26 December 1530 at Agra. He was buried in the garden on a hill at Kabul, a lovely place which he himself had chosen. He rests in peace in his eternal abode surrounded by those whom he loved by the fragrant scent of roses and flowers of his liking and by the cool and tranquil running breeze. His tomb is a source of solace and respite and the people flack to the tomb to pay homage to a great warrior and an exquisite empire builder Babur's Memoirs Babur's autobiography titled as Tuzuk-i-Babri is usually referred as Memoirs of Babur (Baburnama) is an examplary piece of literature. It frankly and honestly depicts the time that Babur spent in his life. Babur wrote this master piece at different times whenever he relaxed and found leisure. Babur's memoirs was written in Turki and subsequently translated in different languages. Payanda Khan and Abdur Rahim Khan-i- Khana translated it into Perisan. It was also translated into English and French. Leydon and Erikson translated it into English in 1826. Its French version was produced in 1871 Babur had acquired mastry over Turki. He has written his memoirs in a Slaleforward and frank style without showing any bias towards anyone. He has been very honest and candid in recording his impression of different issues and even had frankly admitted his own flaws. Babur's memoirs carry great importance in history of the Sub-Continent. It “ontains an authentic account of Babur's assessment of the behaviour of his soldiers and noblemen. The reading of the memoirs reveals the glamour of his personality and “Plate the reader on his intelligence and military skills The memoirs are written in a "nie clear and impressive stvle and its impact is endviring and ever-lastingSon, Babur deeply detested telling lies. Wher he conquered Farghana he o Pen|y confessed the greed of his soldiers whom he called Mughal rascals y Babur’s memories are full with sensitive references to nature He enjoyeg the beauties of nature The memorrs reflect the God fearing nature of Babur When, fa defeated Ibrahim Lodhi he offered his thankfulness of nis Almighty and when he Rana Sangha's massive forces at Kanwah he bowed before God to beg victory trom him Babur's view of Hindustan Babur has discussed at length the environment of India It was in all "kelthoog during the comparative inactivity of his last year that Babur wrote that highly treasureg account of Hindustan which shows his profound intereset in natural history and hy, unparalleled quickness of observation Despite the fact Babur had subjugated India, by, he did not love it He paints a pathetic picture of the country He deeply abhors the environs of Hindustan and writes the country and towns are extremely ugly All its towns and lands have a uniform look. sts garden have no walls. the greater part of it 1s a level plain He continues and writes. Hindustan is a country that has few pleasures tg recommend it The people are not handsome. They have no idea of the charms of inendly society They have no genulus, no intellectual comprehension No politeness no kindness or fellow-fealing. no ingenuity or mechanical invention in planning anid executing their handicrafts, no skill or knowledge in design and architecture They have no goog horses. no good flesh, no grapes or musk-melons. no good fruits, no ice or cold water. no good food or bread in their bazzars. no baths or colleges or candies or:torches---never a candlestick.” Some writers and historians do not subscribe to Babur's account of Hindustan They consider it extremely harsh and prejudiced point of view "He would not have written thls sweeping and wholly unjust condemnation had he lived longer in India and seen more of its people. and he does admit that there are advantages, such as the abundance of workmen. and the pleasant climate during rain” > However Babur wrote that india is a big country with plenty of gold and silver Estimate of Babur Babur is the most attractive personality in the medieval history of India He has been able to make his impact on every aspect of Hindustan and left behind the most cherished legacy for his followers. His everlasting place in history is placed upon his invasions of India which paved the way for an imperial line. A daring solider. Babur was 2 man of fine literary taste with meticulous critical knowledge and awareness He was 3 gifted poet of Persian, the literary and artistic language of India. He was no less.a mastel of prose and verse in his native language Turki His memoirs contain the personal experiences and profound opinion of a highly cultured man. Babur was an educated and well-versed in Eastern literature, an inquisitive observer. quick in understanding the most complex issues and always at home to express his ideas and surveys in clear and lucid language 3 Stanlely Lanepoole. ‘Medieval india’. p 216 )The Mughal Empire 163 yn tne W dealing with the Afghans Babur combined in him the virtues of vigour and vitality of the Turk: id Mongols with the courage of a Persian. He possessed the qualities of palsnas, endurance courage and self-reliance He was an excellent horse rider, a fine fncar and a good archer He was @ man of action In grave crisis and high pitch of battle he was always calm resourceful and never became panicky He loved hunting and sports and usually went on hunting expeditions riding for long distances chasing animals He was fond of bathing in the rivers and could swim the breadth of a river with ease ; By temperament Babur was a jovial and frank person. He never lost his temper over other's mistake and always took lenient view of others shortcomings He was a merciful prince and treated his enemies with big heart. He was kind to, his brothers Babur was an orthodox sunny but ne avoided fanatacism. He considered Shias as downwrite heretics worthy to be condemned to slaughter as they followed an evil belief against the pure faith He contemptuously treated his Hindu subjects and acknowledges Jihad as a sacred duty. He ordered towers of skulls of the Hindus after winning the battle at Sikri and Chander. He showed no mercy to the idol worshippers who challenged him in battles He was a staunch believer of Almighty God and attributed al his accomplishments to his will. He always looked to his God in any moment of dificulty during a war Babur. was indeed the best and superior than all other Muslim kings, commanders and soldiers of his time Though sometime he had to act cruely and tuthlessly, but such occasions were few