The Second Battle of Panipat, fought on November 5, 1556, was a pivotal conflict between the Mughal Emperor Akbar and the forces of Hemu, the Hindu king of Delhi. This battle marked a decisive victory for the Mughals, solidifying Akbar’s reign over northern India and ensuring the establishment of Mughal dominance in the region. Hemu, who had initially gained control over Delhi, was defeated and captured, with his death marking the end of significant Afghan resistance to Mughal rule. The battle is remembered for its strategic importance in Indian history.
Second Battle of Panipat
| Historical Event | The Second Battle of Panipat |
| Date | November 5, 1556 |
| Location | Panipat, Haryana, India |
| Combatants | Mughal Empire vs. the forces of Hemu (Hindu King) |
| Mughal Leader | Akbar (under the regency of Bairam Khan) |
| Opposing Leader | Hemu (Hemchandra Vikramaditya) |
| Cause of Conflict | The Mughals attempted to regain Delhi and Agra after Humayun’s death |
| Result | Decisive Mughal victory |
| Significance | Consolidation of Mughal rule in India |
| Mughal Strength | Approximately 20,000 soldiers |
| Hemu’s Strength | Around 30,000 to 50,000 soldiers, with 1,500 war elephants |
| Outcome for Hemu | Defeated and captured; later executed |
Introduction
Certain places seem fated to be battlegrounds—locations where major battles were fought, often hundreds of years apart. Usually, the reason is that the site constitutes a strategic crossroads, where invaders naturally would encounter defenders. Geographic determinism seems to be why the undistinguished little town of Panipat, about 80 miles north of Delhi, was the site of no fewer than three significant battles—in 1526, 1556, and 1761—each arguably decisive battle. The First Battle of Panipat and Second Battles of Panipat took place between local rulers and two of the earliest and most famous of the Mughal emperors, Babur and Akbar, and these battles established Mughal dominance over the Indian subcontinent that would last until the arrival of the British.
Background of the Battle
The Second Battle of Panipat, fought on November 5, 1556, between the forces of the Mughal Emperor Akbar and the local ruler Hemu, was a significant event in Indian history. The primary causes of the battle include:
(1) Mughal Reclamation of Power
After the death of Emperor Humayun in 1556, the Mughal Empire was in a vulnerable state. Akbar, who was still a minor, was positioned to reclaim and solidify Mughal power in India under the guidance of his regent, Bairam Khan.
(2) Rise of Hemu
Hemu, a general and minister in the court of Adil Shah Suri of the Suri dynasty, capitalized on the Mughal weakness after Humayun’s death. Hemu declared himself king, taking the title “Vikramaditya,” and captured Delhi and Agra, challenging the Mughal authority.
(3) Strategic Importance of Delhi and Agra
The control of Delhi and Agra was crucial for dominance over northern India. Hemu’s seizure of these cities alarmed the Mughals, who recognized the need to reassert control to maintain their empire.
(4) Consolidation of Mughal Power
Bairam Khan, Akbar’s regent, saw the defeat of Hemu as essential to consolidating Mughal rule in India. A victory at Panipat would not only restore Mughal control over northern India but also send a strong message to other regional powers.
The Second Battle of Panipat
- (1) Hemu decided to face Akbar at Panipat and dispatched his advanced guard and artillery well ahead of his main army. This decision turned out to be a major mistake because Akbar’s own advanced forces detected the inadequately guarded cannons, and the commander of Akbar’s advanced force immediately launched an attack.
- (2) This sudden strike caught Hemu’s men by surprise, and they ran, abandoning the guns. The result was that Akbar captured Hemu’s entire artillery park intact and used it to augment his own cannons. Thus, in the coming battle, Hemu had no cannons, while Akbar had many.
- (3) Despite this setback, Hemu moved with his main army to Panipat, and on November 5, 1556, the battle was fought. The true strength of Hemu’s army was around 30,000 skilled Rajput and Afghan horsemen and 500 to 1,000 war elephants, many of which were encased in heavy plate armor.
- (4) The smaller Mughal army had around 10,000 to 15,000 excellent horse archers, supplemented by some infantry and matchlock men and artillerymen. The true commander on the Mughal side was the experienced general, Bairam Khan. Akbar was present, though he seems to have been stationed well to the rear and probably played little role in the actual oversight of the battle.
- (5) Both armies were deployed in five main sections: a left wing, a right wing, a larger center block, a substantial advance force, and a reserve, all fronted by war elephants, with their leaders in the center.
- (6) Hemu’s right and left wings ferociously attacked their Mughal counterparts, led by the heavily armored elephants and backed up by elite cavalrymen. Both the Mughal wings began to give ground before the vicious onslaught, but the Mughal soldiers did not panic and maintained their formations.
- (7) Meanwhile, elements of the Mughal cavalry on the extreme right and left sides rode in wide, sweeping arcs around the edges of the battlefield to attack Hemu’s army from the sides and rear-firing flights of arrows into the enemy ranks. Hemu rallied the forces immediately around him and organized a series of counterattacks, which succeeded in driving off the harassing Mughal cavalry columns.
- (8) He then turned his attention to a renewed frontal assault against the Mughals. Some sources claim that this attack was on the verge of breaking the Mughal formation, which almost certainly would have led to victory, when an arrow found the weak spot of Hemu’s helmet and pierced his eye. Seeing their general fall, his soldiers lost heart, the charge fizzled, and Akbar achieved victory.
Effects of the Second Battle
- (1) The first victory of the Mughals at Panipat in 1526 opened the door for their advance into India, and the second, 30 years later, solidified their control.
- (2) Akbar ruled for a half-century, becoming the greatest of the Mughal emperors. He and his armies conquered much of the Indian subcontinent and established a dynasty that continued until the arrival of the British several centuries later.
- (3) Akbar was an energetic ruler who profoundly changed the culture and institutions of India. He patronized the arts, established the Mughal capital at Agra, regularized the currency, reformed the nobility, reorganized the military, restructured taxation, and, to some degree, transitioned the Mongol steppe raiders into a more sedentary lifestyle. Despite these accomplishments, however, it should not be forgotten that the Mughals were, in essence, invaders, and their conquests were accompanied by copious bloodshed.
- (4) By the time Akbar died in 1605, Mughal rule was firmly established—the true legacy of the battles of Panipat.
Conclusion
The battle concluded with a significant victory for the Mughals, marking a turning point in Akbar’s consolidation of power in India. The victory at Panipat solidified Akbar’s rule over the Mughal Empire and paved the way for the expansion and establishment of Mughal dominance in India. This battle was crucial in securing the empire’s future and establishing Akbar as one of its greatest rulers.
(FAQ) about the Second Battle of Panipat?
1. Why was the Second Battle of Panipat fought?
The battle was fought to determine who would control northern India after the death of the Mughal emperor Humayun. Hemu, a Hindu general and statesman, had captured Delhi and Agra, claiming sovereignty. The young Mughal emperor Akbar, under the guidance of his regent Bairam Khan, sought to recapture these territories.
2. Who were the main leaders in the battle?
The main leaders were Akbar, the Mughal emperor, represented by his regent Bairam Khan, and Hemu, who had declared himself the ruler of Delhi after defeating the Mughal forces at the Battle of Delhi.
3. What was the significance of this battle?
The battle was significant because it marked the re-establishment of Mughal rule in India after a period of instability. Akbar’s victory laid the foundation for his long and successful reign, during which the Mughal Empire expanded and became one of the most powerful empires in the world.
4. What were the strengths and strategies of the two sides?
Hemu’s forces were larger, comprising 30,000 to 50,000 soldiers and 1,500 war elephants, which were key components of his strategy. The Mughals, despite having a smaller army of about 20,000, employed superior tactics, including a focus on archery and maneuverability, which helped them outflank and ultimately defeat Hemu’s forces.
5. How did the battle end?
The battle ended when Hemu was struck in the eye by an arrow, causing his forces to lose morale. He was captured by the Mughals and later executed, marking a decisive Mughal victory.
6. What were the immediate consequences of the battle?
The immediate consequence was the re-establishment of Mughal control over Delhi and Agra. This victory also solidified Akbar’s position as emperor and allowed the Mughal Empire to expand further into the Indian subcontinent.
7. How did the Second Battle of Panipat impact Akbar’s reign?
The victory at Panipat not only secured Akbar’s throne but also demonstrated the effectiveness of his military and administrative strategies. It allowed Akbar to focus on consolidating his empire and implementing policies that would ensure its stability and prosperity for decades.