Mughal Emperor Babur is an essential topic according to the exam point of view. More than 2 questions are observed from this unit in each paper. Candidates can read other NCERT Notes on History of Medieval India to prepare for UPSC IAS Prelims and Mains exam.

Babur was the founder of the Mughal Empire and the father of the Mughal ruler Humayun. The history of the rule of Mughals is important to prepare for UPSC IAS and other PSC Exams preparation. Further in the article, all essential topics are briefly explained. Students are advised to go through those thoroughly.

Who were the Mughals?

• The Mughals emanated in Central Asia and were descended from the Mongol ruler Changez Khan and Timur (Tamburlaine), the great conquistador of Asia. They were exceedingly proud of their pedigree, and it was the remembrance of Timur's raids on India in the fourteenth century that prompted Babur to invade.
• The Mughal dynasty constructed a magnificent empire in India. It was an illustrious period of Indian history. This dynasty was integrated and governed India for more than 300 years. 'Mughal's the Persian inscription for the 'Mongols.
• The Mughal dynasty yielded a rare sequence of proficient rulers. The dynasty was notable for its effective control over much of India, for its administrative organization, and for the potential of its rulers who retained a record of unusual talent, through seven generations.

• There were some distinctions that set this dynasty different from the rest of the others. One such was the endeavour of the Mughals to integrate Hindus and Muslims into a united Indian empire.

Who was Babur?

• Reckoned as one of the exceptional Mughal commanders, Babur succeeded in ensuring the dynasty's position in Delhi after a string of sultanates failed to strengthen their seats and his regime went on to rule for over 300 years in India.
• In 1526, Babur attained victory in the Battle of Panipat against Ibrahim Lodhi. The Battle of Panipat featured the foundation of the Mughal hegemony of India. He seized Delhi and founded the greatest regime in north India—The Mughal Dynasty.
• The Mughal Empire was founded by Timurid prince Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur. He was the heir of Timur from his father's side and Genghis Khan from his mother's side. He took over Fargana at a very young age. He confronted several wars and was so savage on the battlefield that he was labelled as a 'tiger'.
• Daulat Khan, the most significant noble of Punjab, who was dissatisfied with Ibrahim Lodhi, invited Babur to capture India and expel Ibrahim Lodhi in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526.
• He embarked on four expeditions to India to conquer it between the years 1519 and 1523.
• Babur was the champion of a highly developed system of warfare which was the outcome of a scientific synthesis of the tactics of the assorted Central Asian people. Babur overly used gunpowder in wars and on the other side, Ibrahim fought with traditional methods ignorant of modern ways.
• Babur invaded Delhi and sent his son Humayun to seize Agra.
• Babur called himself “Emperor of Hindustan”.
• On December 26, 1530, Babur died at Agra aged 40. His body was first laid at Arambagh in Agra but was later taken to Kabul, where it was laid to rest.

Babur’s Military Conquests

• Babur, the early Mughal emperor, was born in present-day Uzbekistan and became commander of Kabul in Afghanistan. From there, he seized the kingdom of the Lodi Afghans in northern India in 1526 and founded a dynasty that was to rule for three centuries. Babur was a passive and down-to-earth man whose memoirs, the Baburnama, make intriguing reading
• From 1504, Babur was the emperor of Kabul which is now a part of Afghanistan. He quelled Kabul which was an important citadel in Central Asia. It took him 12 years to progress into the heart of India. He was captivated by India for its enormous wealth. During that period, Ibrahim Lodi (the Sultan on the Delhi throne) was shunned. There was no political stability.
• While the battle of Panipat marked the defeated titular Sultan of Delhi, the Battle of Kanhwa resulted in the defeat of the powerful Rajput confederacy.
• All of them yearned that Babur would leave India after defeating Ibrahim Lodi and ravaging the country.
• His motives were somewhat different. Babur turned to India to appease his appetite for overpowering. Also, he regarded India as his territory since it had been trounced by his ancestor, Timur.

Rana Sangha and Babur

Babur was summoned by Rana Sangha, the ruler of Mewar, Daulat Khan Lodi, the governor of Punjab, and Alam Khan, Ibrahim's uncle, to defeat Ibrahim Lodi and terminate the Great Delhi Sultanate.

Babur faced sturdy resistance to his expansion plans from the Rajput king Rana Sangha. Rana Sangha, along with rulers of Marwar, Amber, Gwalior, Ajmer, and Chanderi, as also Sultan Mahmood Lodi, whom Rana Sangha had acknowledged as ruler of Delhi, met Babur in a decisive contest at Kanhwa, a village near Agra, on March 16, 1527.

The purpose was to contain the imposition of another foreign yoke on India. Babur accomplished victory over them by using similar plots as in Panipat. Another crucial reason for the setback of Indian forces was the non-joining of assorted Afghan chiefs.

Personal Account of Babur

• He was a notable scholar in Arabic and Persian.
• His mother tongue was Chaghatai Turkic
• Babur was an incredible statesman and a man of solid achievements.
• He was also an outstanding scholar in Arabic and Persian languages.
• Turki was his mother tongue and he wrote his memoirs, Tuzuk-i-Baburi in Turki language.
• He candidly concedes his failures without suppressing any facts.
• He was also a naturalist and described the flora and fauna of India.

To get more information and study materials on History for UPSC IAS Prelims and Mains exam, candidates can check NCERT Medieval History Notes right here.

FAQs

Q1: Who was Babur?

Q2: What is Babur known for?

Q3: What was Babur's background?

Q4: What were Babur's contributions to culture?

Q5: What was the significance of Babur's memoirs, the Baburnama?

MCQs

1. Which battle marked the beginning of Babur's rule in India?

a) Battle of Talikota

b) Battle of Panipat

c) Battle of Haldighati

d) Battle of Khanwa

2. What was the primary motivation for Babur's invasions of India?

a) Religious conversion

b) Land acquisition and wealth

c) Trade expansion

d) Political alliances

3. Babur is a descendant of which historical figures?

a) Akbar and Jahangir

b) Timur and Genghis Khan

c) Sher Shah Suri

d) Aurangzeb

4. Which of the following works did Babur author?

a) Akbarnama

b) Humayunnama

c) Baburnama

d) Tughlaqnama

5. What was one of Babur's notable contributions to architecture?

a) Taj Mahal

b) Red Fort

c) Humayun's Tomb

d) Gardens of Babur

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the impact of Babur's reign on the Indian subcontinent.

Answer: Babur's reign marked the onset of the Mughal Empire, fundamentally altering the socio-political landscape of India. His establishment of centralized rule introduced a new governance model, emphasizing meritocracy and administration. The conquests facilitated cultural exchanges, blending Persian and Indian traditions, which influenced architecture, literature, and art. Babur’s military strategies set the stage for future Mughal emperors, shaping the empire's expansion and consolidation, thus leaving a lasting legacy on Indian history.

Q2: Discuss the significance of the Baburnama in understanding Mughal history.

Answer: The Baburnama serves as a crucial historical document that offers insights into Babur's life, the socio-political environment of his time, and the early foundations of the Mughal Empire. Its detailed descriptions of battles, cultural observations, and Babur’s thoughts provide historians with an understanding of the era's dynamics. The memoirs reflect Babur's personality, leadership style, and vision, making it an invaluable resource for studying the complexities of early Mughal rule and its impact on Indian society.

Q3: Evaluate Babur's military strategies and their effectiveness in establishing the Mughal Empire.

Answer: Babur's military strategies were marked by innovative tactics, mobility, and the use of artillery, which were pivotal in his victories. His strategic planning during the First Battle of Panipat demonstrated his ability to leverage superior technology against a numerically superior enemy. Babur's tactics, including flanking maneuvers and psychological warfare, were effective in establishing the Mughal Empire. His ability to adapt to different terrains and foes set a precedent for subsequent Mughal military campaigns, ensuring the empire’s expansion and stability.

Previous Year Questions on Mughal Emperor Babur

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2019

Question: Which event is associated with Babur's rise to power?

Answer: Babur's rise to power is closely associated with the First Battle of Panipat in 1526, where he defeated Ibrahim Lodi. This victory marked the establishment of the Mughal Empire in India. Babur's military strategies, including the use of artillery, played a crucial role in his success. This battle not only facilitated Babur's conquest of Delhi but also laid the groundwork for the subsequent Mughal expansion, profoundly influencing the political landscape of the Indian subcontinent.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020

Question: Critically analyze Babur's contributions to Mughal architecture.

Answer: Babur's contributions to Mughal architecture, though not as extensive as later emperors, established the foundation for the architectural heritage of the empire. His construction of gardens, particularly the Gardens of Babur in Kabul, highlighted the Mughal emphasis on landscape design, blending natural beauty with architectural elements. This set the stage for future developments, including the iconic Taj Mahal and Red Fort, as the Mughal architectural style evolved to incorporate elements from Persian, Indian, and Central Asian traditions, symbolizing the empire's cultural syncretism.