Battle of Khanwa
Khanwa, near Fatehpur Sikri, Bharatpur district, Rajasthan, India
What happened
Babur, the first Mughal emperor, fought a large Rajput alliance led by Rana Sanga of Mewar. A year after Babur won power in northern India, Rana Sanga gathered a great alliance of Rajput chiefs to drive him out. Babur chained carts together into a wall and placed soldiers with guns and cannons behind it. The Rajput horsemen charged bravely but could not break through, and when Rana Sanga was wounded and carried away, Babur counter-attacked and won.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It secured Mughal rule in northern India and made Agra the centre of Mughal power. It also showed the power of gunpowder weapons in Indian warfare.
What came next
Rana Sanga died in January 1528 while preparing a new campaign against Babur.
Did you know?
Rana Sanga was famous for his courage and is said to have had more than 80 wounds, losing an eye and an arm in earlier battles.
Timeline
- 1509Rana Sanga becomes ruler of Mewar.
- 1526Babur wins the First Battle of Panipat.
- 16 March 1527Babur defeats Rana Sanga at Khanwa.
- January 1528Rana Sanga dies at Kalpi.