The Battle of Khanwa (1527)

After Panipat Babur held Delhi and Agra, but the strongest power in northern India still lay ahead. Rana Sanga, ruler of Mewar, rallied the Rajput princes and the remnants of the Lodis into a great army. Babur's men were weary and many wanted to go home to Kabul.

In the Baburnama Babur writes that before the battle he gave up wine, broke his gold and silver cups and gave them to the poor, and made a speech that put new heart into his army. On 16 March 1527 battle was joined at Khanwa near Agra. As at Panipat, Babur set up a barrier of chained carts with his guns and musketeers in the centre, while on the wings his cavalry used the tulughma to encircle the enemy.

After a long, hard day the Rajput army was defeated; Rana Sanga was carried wounded from the field and died a year later. Khanwa secured Mughal rule in northern India and is counted among the first great battles in India decided by firearms.