Read on Twitter
can’t think of a city that’s been more influential and determining of the lives of billions (military-wise) than Panipat in northern India
This one fucking place, saw the beginning of the Mughals, end of the Lodis + Suris, and the deep decline of the Marathas
This one fucking place, saw the beginning of the Mughals, end of the Lodis + Suris, and the deep decline of the Marathas
The first battle of Panipat was fought between the Lodis (a Pashtun dynasty) and the incoming Central Asian forces of “Babur”, which meant Tiger in Farsi
Central Asia was too much of a pain to conquer, so Babur set his eyes on the subcon, which the Lodi’s had a weakening grip on
Central Asia was too much of a pain to conquer, so Babur set his eyes on the subcon, which the Lodi’s had a weakening grip on
The first battle of Panipat commenced (1526)
Despite having greater numbers, the Lodi’s stood no chance
Baburs army had better planning and cannons while they didn’t
Lodi’s dumbass just sent his whole army to charge, thinking #’s would win the battle alone
Despite having greater numbers, the Lodi’s stood no chance
Baburs army had better planning and cannons while they didn’t
Lodi’s dumbass just sent his whole army to charge, thinking #’s would win the battle alone
What ensued was a complete massacre
The war elephants weren’t used to cannons and created havoc, cavalry charges all got repelled, and the entire army got pinned: taking the brunt of cannon fire with no escape
Ibrahim Lodi died as well, thus starting the Mughal empire in India
The war elephants weren’t used to cannons and created havoc, cavalry charges all got repelled, and the entire army got pinned: taking the brunt of cannon fire with no escape
Ibrahim Lodi died as well, thus starting the Mughal empire in India
Mughal rule was calm, until Babur died and his son, Humayun, took the throne, suddenly shit started hitting the fan
A new empire from the East began forming and soon proved to be a formidable rival to the new Turkic dynasty.
A new empire from the East began forming and soon proved to be a formidable rival to the new Turkic dynasty.
Known as the Suris, led by Sher Shah Suri (another Pashtun dynasty; go figure) they routinely beat the living shit outta Humayun, so much so that he had to flee to the Safavids in Iran to seek refuge
BUT ALAS THE IROONIS WERE KIND and aided Humuyan’s reconquest of his former territories, which he did in just 15 years, leaving his high functioning autistic son, Akbar I, a nice legacy to improve upon
But Humayun died in an accident, which the Suris saw as the perfect time to strike
Led by the Hindu minister Hemu ,(who as soon as he took Delhi proclaimed independence) he would meet Akbars forces in the the same place as Babur and the Lodis, starting the 2nd battle of Panipat
Led by the Hindu minister Hemu ,(who as soon as he took Delhi proclaimed independence) he would meet Akbars forces in the the same place as Babur and the Lodis, starting the 2nd battle of Panipat
Akbar was just 13 yrs old, but luckily he had a capable guardian, Bairam Khan at his side to command the Mughal forces
Though, they were at a severe disadvantage in terms of numbers (10k:30k)
Though, they were at a severe disadvantage in terms of numbers (10k:30k)
What ensued was a brutal onslaught, forcing the Mughals to retreat as Hemu launched cavalry attacks; this culminated in Hemu himself, while riding in elephant, leading a charge on the weakening forces
BUT, allegedly, a stray arrow just happened to find the split in Hemus helmet
BUT, allegedly, a stray arrow just happened to find the split in Hemus helmet
With Hemu killed, his army panicked, and Mughals ended up winning and slaughtering them
No more big rivals left in India, this supplanted Mughal hegemony for centuries to come
(Hindus still cry about this to this day)
No more big rivals left in India, this supplanted Mughal hegemony for centuries to come
(Hindus still cry about this to this day)
3rd battle will be discussed later
