In a pivotal moment for the Mughal Empire, powers led by Emperor Akbar and his regent Bairam Khan defeated Hemu, a Hindu general who had declared himself ruler of Delhi. The Second Battle of Panipat reasserted Mughal dominance over northern India and solidified the Akbar’s position as a courageous ruler on the Indian subcontinent.
Hemu’s swift ascent had posed a significant threat to the Mughal regime. Hemu saw an opportunity to restore Afghan rule over the region following Emperor Humayun’s death in January 1556. Marching westward from Bengal with an experienced military, he rapidly captured several main Mughal territories, with Agra. His victory at the Battle of Tughlaqabad on October 7 against the Mughal governor Tardi Beg Khan cleared his path to Delhi, where he crowned himself ‘Raja Vikramaditya’ at the Purana Qila, a symbolic act intended to secure his power.
Akbar, although young, was not deterred. He swiftly equipped Mughal powers to confront Hemu under the guidance of his trusted mentor Bairam Khan. The two soldiers clashed near Panipat on November 5, at the same place where Akbar’s grandfather Babur had won his defining battle against the Lodi Sultanate three decades before.
The tide turned abruptly during the fierce battle when an arrow struck Hemu gravely wounding him. His incapacitation threw his forces into disarray. Without their leader, Hemu’s troops rapidly lost cohesion and fled, allowing the Mughals to claim a decisive victory.
The Second Battle of Panipat marked a watershed moment for the Mughal Empire. Hemu’s defeat neutralised the Sur challenge to Mughal rule and reinforced Akbar’s legitimacy as a ruler capable of unifying the subcontinent. The victory opened the way for a sustained Mughal expansion and ushered in an era of political stability, cultural flourishing and economic growth.
