Second Battle of Panipat

The Second Battle of Panipat (1556) was a major fight near Panipat in which the Mughals, led by the young Akbar (through his general Bairam Khan), defeated Himu (Hemu), who had taken control of Delhi.

• Why Panipat mattered: Panipat lies on the route to Delhi from the northwest, so armies often met there when control of Delhi (and therefore much of North India) was at stake.
• Who fought: On one side were the Mughals trying to secure their rule after a shaky period; on the other was Himu, a powerful commander in the Sur administration who had briefly established authority in Delhi.
• What happened: During the battle, Himu was wounded, captured, and later executed. After this, the Mughal side was able to retake Delhi.
• Why it was important: The victory helped Akbar’s side prevent the Mughal empire from collapsing soon after Humayun’s return, and it opened the way for Akbar to build a strong, long-lasting Mughal state.
• A useful comparison: The First Battle of Panipat (1526) brought Babur to power; the Second (1556) helped his grandson Akbar secure that power when it was still uncertain.

Because of this battle, the “interlude” between Babur and Akbar did not turn into a permanent end of Mughal rule in North India.