What is the history of First Battle of Panipat ?

It took place in north India and marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire and the end of the Delhi Sultanate.

This was one of the earliest battles involving gunpowder firearms and field artillery in the Indian subcontinent which were introduced by Mughals in this battle.

After losing Samarkand for the second time, Babur gave attention to conquer India as he reached the banks of the Chenab in 1519.

Until 1524, his aim was to only expand his rule to Punjab, mainly to fulfil his ancestor Timur's legacy, since it used to be part of his empire.

At that time, parts of north India were under the rule of Ibrahim Lodi of the Lodi dynasty, but the empire was crumbling and there were many defectors.

He received invitations from Daulat Khan Lodi, Governor of Punjab and Ala-ud-Din, uncle of Ibrahim.

He sent an ambassador to Ibrahim,asking him to get punished by him and he is rightful to the throne of the country, however the ambassador was detained at Lahore and released months later.

Babur started for Lahore, Punjab, in 1524 but found that Daulat Khan Lodi had been driven out by forces sent by Ibrahim Lodi

When Babur arrived at Lahore, the Lodi army marched out and his army was routed.

In response, Babur burned and punished the people of Lahore for two days, then marched to Dipalpur, placing Alam Khan, another rebel uncle of Lodi's, as governor.

Alam Khan was quickly overthrown and fled to Kabul. In response, Babur supplied Alam Khan with troops who later joined up with Daulat Khan Lodi and together with about 30,000 troops, they besieged Ibrahim Lodi at Delhi

He defeated them and drove Alam's army off; and Babur realised Lodi would not allow him to occupy the Punjab.

Hearing of the size of Ibrahim's army, Babur secured his right flank against the city of Panipat, while digging a trench covered with tree branches to secure his left flanks.

In the center, he placed 700 carts tied together with ropes. Between every two carts there were breastworks for his matchlockmen.

Babur also ensured there was enough space for his cavalry to charge between these carts.

When Ibrahim's army arrived, he found the approach to Babur's army too narrow to attack.

While Ibrahim redeployed his forces to allow for the narrower front, Babur quickly took advantage of the situation to flank (tulghuma) the Lodi army.

Many of Ibrahim's troops were unable to get into action, and fled when the battle turned against Ibrahim.

Faced with musket fire, cannon fire and cavalry attacks from all sides, Ibrahim Lodi fought and died with 6,000 of his remaining troops.

Babur's guns proved decisive in battle, firstly because Ibrahim lacked any field artillery, but also because the sound of the cannon frightened Ibrahim's elephants, causing them to trample his own men.