Causes Of Babur's Victory in the first battle of Panipat

1. Use of Cannons and Gunpowder by Babur's army:

The army of Babur made use of cannon and gunpowder.The skill with which Ustad Ali and
Mustafa, two great Turkish gunners, fought in the field of Panipat also contributed to Babur's
Victory.Thus, Babur's superiority in terms of weapons and arms gave Babur victory against
Sultan Ibrahim Lodhi.

2. Disunity
The Indian Rulers did not visualize any eventuality beyond the borders of their kingdoms and
could not stand unitedly to face a threat on India from outside.

3. Babur’s Personality:
One of the biggest causes of Babur’s victory was also his impressive personality. He did not
lose heart even in most critical times. He had the capacity to infuse spirit in the dead bodies with
his lively speech. He was a born general and was fully conversant with all the tactcs of war.

4. Ill-treatment of Ibrahim Lodi Towards His Amirs

Sultan Ibrahim’s treatment towards his Amirs was very humiliating.He also declared that
kingship knew no kinship. Hence the Amirs went against and did not help him during the battle
of Panipat which contributed to Babur's victory.

5. Disciplined Army Of Babur

Babur’s Army was better disciplined than the army of Ibrahim Lodi.
His soldiers knew how to stand in battle arrary and when to charge and when to retreat. On the
other hand Ibrahim Lodi's army moved more or less like a crowd and a little charge from the
enemy side was enough to cause confusion among them. Their vast numbers were more a
source of weakness than a source of strength. They were ill-organised, ill- trained and
ill-disciplined.

6. Inefficiency of Ibrahim as a General :

Ibrahim Lodi was an inefficient Military General, who lacked the qualities of Generalship.
Neither could he properly organize his forces nor could he plan the battle well. It was not
difficult for a brilliant general like Babur to defeat such an inefficient rival.

7. Use of Elephants by the Ibrahim Lodi's Army

Ibrahim Lodi, made use of elephants in his army. As compared to this, horses of Mughal Cavalry
were more active. Very often elephants wounded in battle used to run back trampling their own
army men under their feet.

8-Use of Tulugnama Technique Of Warfare By Babur

Babur took strategic positions as soon as he reached Panipat. He strengthened his position by
resting one wing of his army in the city of Panipat which had a large number of houses, and
protected the other by means of a ditch filled with branches of trees. In front, he lashed together
a large number of carts, to act as a defending wall. Between two carts, breastworks were
erected on which soldiers could rest their guns and fire.
This technique of Tulugama surrounded Ibrahim Lodi's army.Thus, one of the causes of Babur’s
victory at Panipat was Tulugama Strategy of war.

Notes By-
Dr.Mrs .Jyotika.Roy
Vice Principal
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roy.dr17@gmail.com