The Baburid Empire: Military Reforms That Became the Basis of Victory

Abstract

This article analyzes the military system of the Baburid Empire, which emerged in India in the 16th and 17th centuries, and the reforms that played a key role in its development. Specifically, it explores the strategic importance of artillery and firearms used by Babur, using the Battle of Panipat in 1526 as an example. The military superiority of the Baburid Empire is primarily explained by the effective use of modern military technology, the formation of a centralized army system, and the combination of traditional and new methods of warfare. It is also established that these reforms laid the foundation for a radical overhaul of the military system in India and the formation of a large centralized state.