The Mughal Empire was founded in 1526 by Babur. He defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat, marking the beginning of Mughal dominance. Babur went on to defeat the powerful Rajput confederacy of Rana Sanga in his decisive victory in the Battle of Khanwa, which solidified Mughal rule in India. The empire continued to expand, reaching its greatest territorial extent during the reign of Aurangzeb.
The Mughal Empire was founded by Babur (), a Central Asian ruler descended from the Turco-Mongol conqueror Timur on his father's side and Genghis Khan on his mother's. After being ousted from his ancestral domains in Central Asia, Babur turned to India to pursue his ambitions. Establishing himself in Kabul, he advanced southward in India through the Khyber Pass. Babur's forces defeated Ibrahim Lodhi in the First Battle of Panipat. By this time, however, Lodhi's empire was already weakning, while the Rajput Confederacy led by the capable Rana Sanga of Mewar, remained the strongest power in the northern India.
Rana Sanga defeated Babur in the Battle of Bayana. However, in a decisive battle fought near Agra, BaburâÂÂs Timurid forces defeated SangaâÂÂs Rajput army in the Battle of Khanwa. This battle was one of the most significant and historic battles in Indian history, as it determined the fate of Northern India for the next two centuries. The Mughal Empire reached its greatest extent during the reign of Aurangzeb.