Indian history is one of the monumental tales of world history. “A bundle of contradictions held together by strong but invisible threads”, in the words of our first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Countless battles, numerous rulers and various dynasties later, India has become what it is today. The Indian subcontinent has seen all the highs and lows of the world. It has been home to a luxurious lifestyle, as well as been a colony that was plundered to its core. Here, we discuss chronologically, the 5 most significant battles fought in Indian history, which gives shape to India, as we know it today.
1. Battle of Hydaspes (River Jhelum)
When – 327 BC
Fought Between – Alexander the Great and King Porus (Paurava Kingdom)
The Result – Alexander defeated King Porus in his ambition to conquer the whole world
Significance - Large areas between the Hydaspes (Jhelum) and Hyphasis (Beas) rivers were absorbed into the Alexandrian Empire, and Porus was reinstated as a subordinate ruler. This battle opened up the Indian sub-continent to Ancient Greek political and cultural influences. This influence continued to have an impact on India for centuries to come. Chandragupta Maurya of Magadha found the Mauryan Dynasty in India, in 321 BC, after Alexander’s invasion.
2. Second Battle of Tarain
When – 1192
Fought between – Mohammad Ghori (Ghurids) and Prithviraj Chauhan (Chahamanas)
The Result – The Ghurids defeated the Chahamanas, thus avenging their defeat in the first battle of Tarain
Significance – The victory of the Ghurids paved the way for the foundation of Muslim rule in India. This victory was an indication that the Muslim invaders were better skilled and armed than the Indian army. Within the next 15 years, the Turkish rule had extended over the Gangetic plains of Bihar and Bengal. The disunity among the Indian princes was exposed. This led to the centuries-long rule of the Muslims over the Indian subcontinent.
3. First Battle of Panipat
When – 1526
Fought between – Babur (Mughal) and Ibrahim Lodi (Lodi Kingdom)
The Result – Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi in this battle fought in North India
Significance – In this battle, the Mughals introduced gunpowder firearms and field artillery to the Indian subcontinent. This proved vital for the Mughal victory. Due to the deafening sound of the Mughal canons, the elephants in the Lodi army got terrified, causing them to trample their own men. The Mughal triumph resulted in the demise of the Delhi Sultanate which spanned over large parts of India for over 3 centuries. This marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire in India.
4. Battle of Plassey.
When – 1757
Fought between – British East India Company and the Nawab of Bengal and his French allies
The Result – East India Company defeated the Nawab of Bengal and annexed Bengal
Significance – Arguably, one of the most unfortunate events in Indian history, this annexation of Bengal gradually turned into the complete colonization of the country. The Battle of Plassey and the resultant victory of the British East India Company led to puppet governments instated by them in various states of India. This led to an unleashing of malpractices and atrocities by the British East India Company in the name of tax collection. India was plundered and destroyed. Still, to this day, a lot of our weaknesses can be dated back to this colonization of almost 2 centuries by the British.
5. Battle of Kohima
When – 1944 (World War II)
Fought Between – Britain and India (Allies) against Japan (Axis)
Result – British India defeated the Japanese in a 3-month long battle
Significance – This is one of the forgotten battles of our country. It is evidence of how India was also a significant part of the World War. Manipur and Nagaland in the Indian northeast were important frontiers of the Second World War in what was popularly known as the Burmese front. Japan ended its offense into South Asia after tasting defeat in this North-East Indian land. Post-war analysis has given this battle the same importance as the Battle of Stalingrad in Russia. According to a poll run by National Army Museum, the Battle of Kohima was voted as “Britain’s Greatest Battle”. If the Japanese would have overrun British India in this battle, it would be for the better or not we cannot say, but freedom would not be as we know it today.
Mark Twain describes India as –
“A cradle of human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grandmother of tradition. Our most valuable and most instructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only!”
India is a land of ancient civilizations. Indian history and culture are as bright as those of the Egyptian and Mesopotamians. As we can see the great battles fought on this land expand over almost 2000 years. A great number of writers, philosophers, scientists, mathematicians and people of all kinds of occupations from all over the world have worked their way into making India what it is today.
Hello, I am Aliasgar Ayaz. I am currently pursuing Economics honours from The Bhawanipur Education Society College. I am an avid follower of sports, majorly football, volleyball and tennis. I love to write about sports and current affairs dealing with our nation as well as international.
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