Consider the following statements:

1. Assertion (A): The Battle of Khanua was certainly more decisive and significant than the First Battle of Panipat.
2. Reason (R): Rana Sanga, the Rajput hero, was certainly a more formidable adversary than Ibrahim Lodi.

Options:

1. Both A and R are individually true, and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Both A and R are individually true, but R is NOT a correct explanation of A
3. A is true, but R is false
4. A is false, but R is true

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• The Battle of Khanwa (fought at Khanwa in modern-day Rajasthan on 16 March 1527) is considered more decisive and significant than the First Battle of Panipat (April 1526) because it firmly established Mughal supremacy in North India. While Panipat gave Babur control over Delhi and Agra, the Rajput challenge under Rana Sanga still posed a serious threat to Mughal power. Rana Sanga was a far more capable and formidable opponent than Ibrahim Lodi, as he had united several Rajput chiefs and Afghan forces against Babur. Babur’s victory at Khanwa therefore crushed the strongest indigenous resistance to Mughal expansion and consolidated Mughal rule in India.

Answer: (a) Both A and R are individually true, and R is the correct explanation of A