SRI KRISHNA TUITION CENTER
(A UNIT OF SRI KRISHNA GROUP OF INSTITUTIONS)
RAJIV NAGAR, TUTICORIN – 8.
CHAPTER 10: THE EARLY MUGHALS
SUMMARY
Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur was the founder of the Mughal Empire. He was the descendant of
Timur and Genghis Khan. His armies who invaded India under his leadership compromised of
Turkish, Persian and Pashtun soldiers. Babur with the help of his armies defeated the last of the
“ulta s, I rahi “hah Lodhi i the First Battle of Pa ipat i
. E e though Ba ur’s ar y was
smaller in size, his 12,000 men who were well trained succeeded in beating an army of more than a
100,000 men. Babur however, did have the advantage of superior cavalry tactics, firearms and guns.
Babur then went on to crush, Rana Sanga of Chittor and achieved many other military victories.
However, just five years into his reign, he passed away. His biggest legacy was that he left a set of
descendants who fulfilled his dream of an Islamic Empire in India.
Babur was succeeded by his son, Humayun. At the age of 12, his father appointed him as the
governor of Badakshan, and this is where he proved his administrative skills and bravery.
Even his own brothers conspired against him, but he refused to believe it and gave them positions of
po er. “her “hah “uri, a Afgha ge eral ho ser ed u der Ba ur as o e of Hu ayu ’s iggest
threats. Humayun thought that Sher Shah Suri had a small army and therefore, he chose to ignore
him. But in reality, Sher Shah had gathered an impressive number of Afghan soldiers who were loyal
and well trained.
After realising that there was reason for feeling threatened, Humayun marched to Chunar, Sher
“hah’s territory, hile the latter as a ay at Gaur. But i spite of the a se e of their leader, his
men fought fiercely and Humayun was forced to retreat.
Sher Shah in the meantime, went about capturing Bihar and Jaunpur which was under Mughal rule.
Facing humiliation, Humayun clashed with Sher Shah two more times. The first battle was at Chausa
where he and his men suffered a crushing defeat and Humayun barely escaped with his life. The
se o d attle at Ka auj rought a e d to Hu ayu ’s reig . Afgha rule as esta lished ith the
capture of Delhi and Agra.
Humayun fled to Persia where he lived in exile for 15 years after being betrayed by his brothers. In
exile, his wife gave birth to their son, Akbar.
PREPARED BY : D JAGANNATHAN M.Sc.,MA(cont).,M.Phil(cont).,PGDSE
Chapter 10: THE EARLY MUGHALS - CLASS VII ICSE
Ho e er, after as e di g the thro e, his people realized that he la ked his father’s le er a d rafty
mind, even though he was a great soldier. He got addicted to the luxuries of the palace and did not
take much action against the Rajputs and Afghans who were conspiring against him.
1
After the death of Sher Shah Suri, his empire began to crumble as his successor could not re-create
“her “hah’s agi .
Humayun on realizing this, put an army together with the help of a Persian King and marched
towards Delhi. The following year, he managed to capture Delhi, along with Kabul and Kandahar and
defeated “ika der “uri, “her “hah’s su essor, as e di g the thro e at Agra, thus ri gi g a e d to
his days in exile.
His years in exile changed him. After ascending the throne, Humayun devoted his time to the State.
His greatest achievements lay in the field of painting. He brought several painters from Persia and
they laid the foundation for Mughal art and style. From here on, there was a fusion of Persian and
Indian styles.
Hu ayu ’s reig as short-lived. He died in a tragic accident after falling off his library steps. He was
succeeded by his son Akbar, who went on to become on of the greatest Mughal kings ever known.
1. Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur was the founder of the Mughal Empire.
2. Babur with the help of his armies defeated the last of the Sultans, Ibrahim Shah Lodhi in the
First Battle of Panipat in 1526.
3. Ba ur’s ar y, though s all i umber but it was experienced and well-disciplined. On the
other ha d Ra a “a ga’s ar y o sisted of heteroge eous ele e ts o prisi g ar ies of
several Rajput rulers as well as Afghan rulers. It lacked unity of command.
4. In the battle of Khanwa in 1527, The Mughals won the battle. Rana Sanga was badly
wounded and taken away from the battle field.
5. In 1528, Babur marched against Chanderi which was a stronghold of the Rajputs under
Medini Rai. The Mughals besieged the Fort where Medini Rai had taken shelter with his
5,000 followers.
6. The Battle of Ghagra in 1529 was the last war of Babur in India. The battle was fought with
the Afghans, on the confluence of the Ganga and its tributary, the Ghagara, on 6th May,
1529. The Afghans were defeated.
7. Babur, the first Mughal ruler, wrote his autobiography Baburnamah or Tuzuk-i-baburi in
Turki or Turkish language which was his native tongue. Baburnamah, Wakai or Wakiat-iBaburi, or Tuzak-i-Baburi as Babur's Memoirs are variously known, is the main source of
information about his life and career.
8. On the instruction of Akbar, Baburnamah was translated into Persian in 1589.
9. Babur was a great statesman and a man of solid achievements. He was also a great scholar
in Arabic and Persian languages. He frankly confesses his own failures without suppressing
any facts. He was also a naturalist and described the flora and fauna of India.
10. Babur died at Agra in 1530 at the age of forty seven.
11. The Bagh-e Babur garden is the final resting place of the first Mughal Emperor, Babur.
12. Humayun was the eldest son of Babur.
13. Sher Khan became powerful in the east. Humayun marched against him and in the Battle of
Chausa, held in 1539, Sher Khan destroyed the Mughal army and Humayun escaped .
PREPARED BY : D JAGANNATHAN M.Sc.,MA(cont).,M.Phil(cont).,PGDSE
Chapter 10: THE EARLY MUGHALS - CLASS VII ICSE
Tit – Bits
2
14. Humayun was forced to fight with Sher Khan alone in the Battle of Bilgram in 1540. This
battle was also known as Battle of Kanauj. Humayun was thoroughly defeated by Sher Khan.
After losing his kingdom, Humayun became an exile for the next fifteen years.
15. Humayun captured Gujarat from Bahadur Shah and appointed Askari as its governor. But
soon Bahadur Shah recovered Gujarat from Askari who fled from there.
16. When Humayun left India in 1540, he married Hamida Banu Begum on his way to Sind.
17. Humayun defeated the Afghans and recovered the Mughal throne. After six months, he died
in 1556 due to his fall from the staircase of his library.
18. Although Humayun was not a good General and warrior, he was kind and generous. He was
also learned and a student of mathematics, astronomy and astrology. He also loved painting
and wrote poetry in Persian language.
19. Gulbadan Begum was a Mughal Princess.she is most known as the author of Humayun
Nama, the account of the life of her half-brother, Humayun.
Answer the following questions in one/two sentences
1. Why did Daulat Khan Lodi invite Babur to invade India?
Ans. Ba ar’s gaze shifted to India because of fabulous wealth of India. The opportunity to
invade India came to Babar when he was invited by Daulat Khan Lodi to dethrone Ibrahim
Lodi.
2. Between whom was the first battle of Panipat fought?
Ans. The battle was fought between two mega-powers. Babur, then ruler of Kabul and
Ibrahim Lodi, king of Delhi Sultanate.
4. What as the a e of Ba ur’s auto iography?
Ans. Tuzk-e Babri is also known as the Memoirs of Babur or Baburnama. The founder of
Mughal Empire in India, Babur, styled the Tuzk-e-Babri.
5. Who was the ruler of Gujarat and Malwa?
Ans. Sultan Qutb-ud-Din Bahadur Shah, who was a sultan of Gujarat Sultanate was the ruler
of Gujarat and Malwa.
6. Who as Hu ayu ’s ost dangerous enemy?
Ans. Humayun was no match for Sher Khan who was in every respect superior to him in
preparing and planning battles and in fighting the enemy. Sher Shah had more experience,
more knowledge of strategies, more organizing capacity.He was co sidered Hu ayu ’s ost
dangerous enemy.
7. How did Humayun escape after his defeat in the Battle of Chausa(1539 CE)?
PREPARED BY : D JAGANNATHAN M.Sc.,MA(cont).,M.Phil(cont).,PGDSE
Chapter 10: THE EARLY MUGHALS - CLASS VII ICSE
3. What was the significance of the Battle of Panipat(1526 CE)?
Ans. The first battle of Panipat (21 April 1526) was a major victory for Babur over Sultan
Ibrahim Lodi of Delhi, won during his fifth and final expedition into Hindustan, and that
helped establish the Mogul Empire.
3
Ans. The Mughal army was completely routed. Humayun jumped into the Ganga and floated
do the ri er ith the help of a ater arrier’s i flated water bag.
8. What is the significance of Battle of Kanauj(1540 CE)?
Ans. The Mughal forces were decisively defeated .Sher Khan became the master of Delhi
and Agra and assumed the title of Sher Shah. The Large but fragile Mughal empire came to
an end and was replaced by Afghan rule.
9. How many years did Humayun spend in exile?
Ans. Humayun spent 15 years in Exile (1540 – 55 CE).
10. Who helped Humayun to recover Kabul and Kandahar?
Ans. With military help from the Shah of Persia, Humayun returned and recovered Kabul and
Kandahar from his brother Kamran.
1. Gi e a rief a ou t of Ba ur’s early life.
Ans.
(i)
Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur was born in February, 1483 A.D. The sudden
death of his father made Babur the ruler of Farghana, a small state in
Transoxania when he was only 12 years old.
(ii)
Babur was very ambitious even when he was merely a boy. He made a bid to
conquer Samarkand, the ancient capital of Chinghiz. He won the city twice, but
lost in no times on both occasions. He lost his paternal kingdom Farghana too.
(iii)
Then, for a period he lived the life of a wanderer along with a band of loyal and
faithful followers. At last he occupied Kabul in 1504. In 1522 he seized Kandahar
and thus rounded off the western boundary of his kingdom.
(iv)
Babur turned his eyes to India. Political conditions in India were favorable to his
designs. The Delhi Sultanate had lost its past glory and was on the point of
disintegration. In northern India there were several states under the Afghans
and Rajputs which were practically independent.
(v)
Ibrahim Lodi, the Sultan of Delhi, was not a capable ruler. The governor of
Punjab was a disaffected noble named Daulat Khan. He invited Babur to India.
Thus, o the e e of Ba ur’s i asio there as o politi al stability in North
India.
2. Give an account of causes, events and consequences of the First Battle of Panipat.
Ans.
(i)
The First Battle of Panipat was fought between armies of Ibrahim Lodi and
Mughal Emperor Babur. Ibrahim Lodi was defeated in the battle. The war took
place on 21st day of April, 1526.
(ii)
Ibrahim Lodi, the Sultan of Delhi, was an arrogant type ruler. As a result of
Afghan aristocrats were engaged in a conspiracy to dethrone him.
PREPARED BY : D JAGANNATHAN M.Sc.,MA(cont).,M.Phil(cont).,PGDSE
Chapter 10: THE EARLY MUGHALS - CLASS VII ICSE
Answer the following briefly:
4
Daulat Khan, the Afghan ruler of Punjab, invited Mughal ruler Babur to invade
India. In 1524 Babur tried to attack India. But as the difference between Babur
and Daulat Khan grew, Babur had to make a retreat.
(iv)
In the next year Babur came back with bigger force and by defeating Daulat
Khan captured Punjab. Then the Mughal army marched towards Delhi.
(v)
Ibrahim Lodi met Babur at Panipat with a force estimated at 1000,000 men and
1000 elephants.
(vi)
Babur's Army was numerically inferior. In the morning of 21st April, 1526, they
fought a pitched battle. Babur encircled Ibrahim Lodi's army, and his artillery
rained a hell of fire and shots on it.
(vii)
The Lodi Army was totally destroyed.After half a day of battle Babur came out
victorious. Ibrahim Lodi lost his life along with his 15,000 soldiers in the Battle of
Panipat.
3. How many battles did Babur have to fight after the Battle of Panipat? Mention the
significance of his victory in each of these battles.
Ans.
Battle of Khanwa (1527):
The armies of Babur and Rana Sanga met at Khanwa, about forty Kilometers away from
Delhi. The battle continued for about ten hours. The Rajput began to bring havoc upon
Ba ur’s ar y that see ed to ha e ee redu ed al ost to their last gasp. At this
moment Babur made a stirring speech before his soldiers. The stirring appeal had the
desired result. The bloody war followed. Babur won the battle with his superior artillery
and cavalry . Rana Sanga was badly wounded and taken away from the battle field. This
victory gave Babur supreme control over central India.
Battle of Chanderi (1528):
Babur marched against Chanderi which was a stronghold of the Rajputs under Medini
Rai. Babur reached Chanderi on 20th January, 1528. The Mughals besieged the Fort
where Medini Rai had taken shelter with his 5,000 followers.Babur pressed the siege of
Chanderi with full vigour and attacked the Fort of Chanderi from all sides. Almost all the
Rajputs lost their lives. On 29th January, 1528, the Fort of Chanderi was captured. After
this no other Rajput chief could challenge the authority of Babur.
Battle of Ghagra (1529):
The Battle of Ghagra in 1529 was the last war of Babur in India. The battle was fought
with the Afghans, on the confluence of the Ganga and its tributary, the Ghagara, on 6th
May, 1529.The Afghans were defeated by the army of Babur in this battle.By 1530 CE, he
was the master of the Punjab, Delhi and the Gangetic plains as far as Bihar.
4. Why is the Tuzuk – i – Ba uri regarded as o e of the orld’s est auto iographies?
Why did Babur wished to be buried in a garden in Kabul?
Ans.
(i)
Babur, the first Mughal ruler, wrote his autobiography Baburnamah or Tuzuk-ibaburi in Turki or Turkish language which was his native tongue. Baburnamah,
PREPARED BY : D JAGANNATHAN M.Sc.,MA(cont).,M.Phil(cont).,PGDSE
Chapter 10: THE EARLY MUGHALS - CLASS VII ICSE
(iii)
5
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
5. With the reference to the following points , discuss the achievements of Babur:
Ans.
(a) Founder of the Mugal Empire:
(i)
Babur conquered a significant part of India. He made Delhi his capital. He
won three important battles in India.
(ii)
With his victory in the Battle of Panipat, he captured the throne of Delhi-a
throne coveted by every important ruler of India. With this, he gave a severe
blow to the power of the Afghans.
(iii)
With the victories in the battle of Khanwa and Battle of Chanderi, he
destroyed the power of the Rajputs.
(iv)
His victory at Ghagara crushed the remaining power of the Afghans.
(v)
He thus succeeded in laying down the foundation of the Mughal empire in
India that had the longest period of survival in India.
(b) Poet and Scholar:
(i)
Babur was a scholarly king. His command over Turki language assigns him a
place in the world of scholars.
(ii)
Babur also possessed good knowledge of Arabic and Persian.
(iii)
His Tuzki-Babri or Baburnama (Memoirs) ranks among the best
autobiographies of the world.
(iv)
His collection of poems in Turki called the Diwan is also considered as one
of the best contemporary poetic works.
6. How many military expeditions did Humayun have to carry out to consolidate his
position in the north? Name the persons with whom he fought these battles.
Ans.
PREPARED BY : D JAGANNATHAN M.Sc.,MA(cont).,M.Phil(cont).,PGDSE
Chapter 10: THE EARLY MUGHALS - CLASS VII ICSE
(ii)
Wakai or Wakiat-i-Baburi, or Tuzak-i-Baburi as Babur's Memoirs are variously
known, is the main source of information about his life and career.
Not only do the Memoirs throw flood of light on political and military history of
Central Asia, India and his own dominions, but they also present Babur as one
who was keenly interested in nature and possessed innate ability to critically
examine anything worth noticeable and interesting.
The Baburnama is broadly divided into three sections, namely Farghana, Kabul
and Hindustan.
His account of Hindustan occupies no less than one third portion of the entire
Memoirs. In this section he gives not only an exact account of its boundaries,
population, resources, revenues and divisions, important rulers, customs,
traditions and life style, technology and crafts, landscape and climate, but also
gives full enumeration of fruits, flowers,trees, shrubs, birds and animals.
On the instruction of Akbar, Baburnama was translated into Persian in 1589.
It is said that he loved nature and built many beautiful gardens and sprawling
lawns. He used to organize warm welcome parties at these gardens and any spot
of natural beauty.
In accordance with his will , he was buried in a garden in Kabul. It is named
Bagh – e – Babur , a beautiful garden on a hill.
6
Expectation of Kalinjar (1531) :
Humayun besieged the fourth of Kalinjar in Bundelkhand. Humayun was forced to make
peace and accept a huge indemnity from the Raja.
Battle of Dauhariya (1532) :
Humayun defeated Mahmood Lodi, the Afghan of Bihar.
Siege of Chunar (1532) :
Humayun besieged for fort of Chunar under Sher Shah, who offered nominal submission.
It proved to be a mistake on the part of Humayun to accept it.
Wars with Bahadur Shah (1535-1536) :
Bahadur Shah annexed Malwa in 1531, captured the fourth of Raisin and defeated the
Chief of Chittor in 1533.
Battle of Chausa (1539) :
Humayun's return to our was blocked by Sher Shah. Both armies delayed the attack and
rains started. Leaving the Mughal encampment flooded. Humayun was defeated.
Battle of Kanauj (1540) :
After reaching Agra, Humayun and his brother Kamran decided to fight Sher Shah but
due to the differences between the brothers, Humayun for the Battle of Kanauj and lost.
Humayun became a fugitive and Sher Shah became the ruler of Agra and Delhi.
(b) Battle of Kanauj (1540) :
In May 1540, the armies met once again opposite Kannauj and the Mughal Empire
was put to an end for a while. At Kannauj, the Afghans were able to scatter the
Mughal army, which mere by panic, fled in confusion. Humayun again escaped from
the battle field and from that day , for next 15 years he lived like a wanderer.
8. Give an account of weakness and strength of Humayun.
Ans.
Weakness of Humayun:
(i)
As a ruler he lacked foresight and was incapable of taking a long term view of
political and military problems.
(ii)
He was not a good judge of men and circumstances. He lacked sustained effort
and after a victory he would fritter away his energy in revelry.
(iii)
No doubt, he inherited a rich-legacy of difficulties but he made it richer by his
own blunders. His lethargy was chronic.
PREPARED BY : D JAGANNATHAN M.Sc.,MA(cont).,M.Phil(cont).,PGDSE
Chapter 10: THE EARLY MUGHALS - CLASS VII ICSE
7. With reference to (a) the Battle of Chausa and (b) the Battle of Kanauj , explain how
Sher Shah replaced Mughal rule in India?
Ans.
(a) Battle of Chausa (1539) :
At the Battle of Chausa on June 26, 1539, Sher Khan made a surprise attack on the
Mughals. The Afghan army, which was divided into three divisions attacked the
Mughals from three directions. The whole of the Mughal army was was defeated.
Humayun himself, attended by a few men, fled towards Agra.Sher Khan assumed
the royal title of Farid al-Din Sher Shah.
7
(iv)
He was daring as a soldier but not cautious as a general. He failed to pounce
upon opportunities as well as upon his enemies in time.
Strength of Humayun:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
It is not doing justice to Humayun when it is said that he was a failure. True he failed
against Sher Shah but after his death, he seized every opportunity to come to
power. But his spirit was not subdued.
Even after 15 years of exile he could recapture his throne of Delhi and restore the
po er a d prestige of the Mughals. He e t fro ri hes to rags and again from
rags to ri hes.
In his personal life, Humayun was an obedient son, lovable husband, affectionate
father and a good relative.
He was generous and attached in temperament, cultured and fond of learning. He
was the lover of humanity and the model of a gentleman.
Humayun possessed a dominant will.
1. What were the reasons for Babur's success in the First battle of Panipat?
Ans. Following are the reasons for success of Babur in the first battle of Panipat were:
(i)
Strong artillery which was a new introduction in the Indian army and a well-trained
cavalry
(ii)
Good generalship. Babur arranged his soldiers in such a way that they could move
easily from one part of the battle to other.
2. Write short notes on Humayun.
Ans. Humayun was the second Mughal Emperor of India. He ascended the throne in 1530
AD. Humayun divided his inheritance according to the will of his father and equally
distributed the province among his brothers. The ambitions of his brother Mirza Kamran
weakened Humayun's cause against Afghan competitors. He was defeated by 'Shah Suri' at
Chausa in 1529 A.D. and at Kanauj in 1540 A.D.which forced him to flee to Iran. He received
the help from Safavid Shah to capture Delhi again in 1555 A.D. He died in the same year.
3. Who was Babur?
Ans. Babar's real name was Zahir-ur-din. He was the ruler of a small state 'Farghana' in
Central Asia. He invaded India 5 times. The vast wealth of India and poor political condition
and invitation from the nobles of Delhi prompted Babar to march to Delhi. He defeated
Ibrahim Lodhi the last Sultan of Lodhi dynasty at Panipat in A.D. 1526.He effectively used
cannons in the first battle of Panipat. In A.D. 1527 he defeated Rana Sanga. In A.D. 1528 he
defeated Rajputs in the battle of Chanderi. Before his death He had established effective
control over Agra and Delhi. He died in 1530 A.D.
PREPARED BY : D JAGANNATHAN M.Sc.,MA(cont).,M.Phil(cont).,PGDSE
Chapter 10: THE EARLY MUGHALS - CLASS VII ICSE
HOTS Questions
8