Annexation of Khandesh to the Mughal Empire by Babur

Khandesh, a region located in present-day Maharashtra, India, was annexed to the Mughal Empire by Babur, the founder of the Mughal dynasty. This annexation took place during Babur's expansionist campaigns in the early 16th century.

Background:
Khandesh was a region ruled by the Faruqi dynasty, which was a part of the Bahmani Sultanate. The Bahmani Sultanate had fragmented into several smaller states, including Khandesh, due to internal conflicts and power struggles. The Faruqi dynasty, led by Nasir Khan, ruled Khandesh as an independent kingdom.

Babur's Campaigns:
Babur, who had already established his rule in parts of Central Asia, invaded India with the aim of expanding his empire. He defeated Ibrahim Lodi, the ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 and established the Mughal Empire.

After consolidating his hold over Delhi and Agra, Babur turned his attention towards the Deccan region, which included Khandesh. In 1529, Babur launched a campaign against the Faruqi dynasty in Khandesh.

Conquest of Khandesh:
Babur's forces, led by his son Humayun, besieged the fortress of Asirgarh, a strategic stronghold in Khandesh. The fort, situated on a hill, was well-fortified and defended by the Faruqi army. However, after a prolonged siege, the Mughal forces managed to breach the defenses and capture the fort in 1531.

With the fall of Asirgarh, the rest of Khandesh quickly surrendered to the Mughals. Nasir Khan, the Faruqi ruler, acknowledged Babur's supremacy and accepted Mughal suzerainty. Khandesh became a part of the expanding Mughal Empire, adding to Babur's territorial conquests in India.

Significance:
The annexation of Khandesh to the Mughal Empire further strengthened Babur's hold over the Deccan region. It provided the Mughals with a strategic base for future campaigns and helped in consolidating their power in the Indian subcontinent. The conquest of Khandesh also showcased Babur's military prowess and his ability to expand his empire beyond the northern regions of India.

Overall, the annexation of Khandesh by Babur played a significant role in shaping the early Mughal Empire and setting the stage for further expansion under his successors, including Akbar, who would go on to establish one of the greatest empires in Indian history.