James Baquet There have been innumerable wars and battles, large and small, in human history. What makes one more worthy of study than another? Sometimes, it’s the personalities involved. Other times, it’s the consequences. Still another attraction may be the use of new technology or tactics. And sometimes it’s all of these. Take, for example, the First Battle of Panipat, which took place in northern India on April 21, 1526. One side, the Timurids, was commanded by Babur, great-great grandson of Timur (otherwise known as Tamerlane), himself said to be an in-law of the descendants of Genghis Khan. Babur founded the Mughal Empire, which came to encompass virtually the entire Indian subcontinent and Central Asia. And this was a direct result of what happened at Panipat. So, person: Babur. Consequence: Mughal Empire. Technology? The Battle of Panipat is considered one of the earliest uses of gunpowder in the Indian subcontinent, an example of what has been called the “Gunpowder Empires.” These included the Ottoman Turks and the Safavid Dynasty of Iran, as well as the Mughals. The stability of their domains — thanks to their superior weaponry — led to greater trade and a flourishing of culture. So what did happen at Panipat? After defeats in Central Asia, Babur turned his attention toward India. At first, he meant only to recover Punjab, which had once been held by Timur. But the Lodi Dynasty in northern India — centered in Delhi and governed by its sultan, Ibrahim Lodi — was waning, and Babur saw his chance. Babur had been invited to Punjab by Ibrahim’s uncle Ala-ud-Din and the governor of Punjab, Daulat Khan Lodi. When Ibrahim attempted to turn him back, Babur took his stand at Panipat, deploying soldiers with matchlocks and cannons. Not only were the cannonballs effective in their own right, but their BOOM! caused Ibrahim’s elephants to panic and trample his own men. Ibrahim Lodi died that day with 20,000 of his troops. This was the end of the Delhi Sultanate and the founding moment of the Mughal Empire, which reached its peak in around 1700. It lasted over 300 years until 1857, when the British East India Company brought about its end. Vocabulary: Which words above mean: 1. areas of influence 2. going down, becoming less 3. old-fashioned long guns 4. prospering, thriving 5. result 6. unable to be counted 7. include 8. stomp on 9. Islamic ruler 10. a relative by marriage | 