Did Rana Sanga Invite Babur? A Historical Inquiry into Rajput Diplomacy

Rana Sanga and the Rise of Mewar

In the late 15th and early 16th centuries, Mewar emerged as one of the most powerful Rajput kingdoms in North India. Its ruler Rana Sanga, born in 1482, ascended the throne at the age of 27 in 1508 after a succession conflict. A brilliant military strategist, he led multiple victorious campaigns against Gujarat, Malwa, and the Delhi Sultanate.

By 1517, he had captured Mahmud II of Malwa, and later defeated Ibrahim Lodi’s forces at the Battle of Khatoli. His territory stretched from Gujarat in the west to the edges of Agra in the east, making him the most formidable power in Northern India.

Babur’s Arrival and Alleged Invitation

In 1526, Babur—a descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan—defeated Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat and captured Delhi and Agra. But controversy surrounds whether Rana Sanga invited Babur to India to help overthrow Lodi.

What the Sources Say:

1. Baburnama (Babur’s Memoirs) Babur writes that while he was in Kabul, a diplomat from Rana Sanga visited him with "good wishes" and a proposed joint strategy to attack Ibrahim Lodi:

"When I was in Kabul, a messenger from Rana Sanga came to me with greetings and proposed that he would attack Lodi from the other side."— Baburnama, translated by A.S. Beveridge

However, Babur adds that Rana Sanga never showed up during the actual campaign against Lodi:

“I conquered Delhi and Agra but never saw Rana Sanga. He did not keep his word.”

2. Tariq-i-Rashidi by Mirza Haidar DughlatThis text confirms that Rana Sanga's emissary visited Babur, suggesting cooperation. Mirza Haidar, Babur’s cousin, corroborates that there was some communication between the two powers.

3. Stanley Lane-Poole’s 'Babur'The British historian mentions Rana Sanga’s outreach to Babur, citing contemporary sources but also noting Babur’s frustration over Rana's non-participation in the Lodi campaign.

4. Satish Chandra’s 'Medieval India'Satish Chandra presents a nuanced view, stating that although there may have been some diplomatic overtures, there’s no hard evidence that a formal alliance existed. He notes:

“Perhaps Rana Sanga assumed Babur, like Timur, would return to Central Asia after looting Delhi. But Babur's decision to stay changed everything.”

Why the Controversy Today?

In present-day India, particularly in political and cultural circles, debates have intensified over the "invitation theory" — that Rana Sanga invited Babur, inadvertently helping lay the foundation of the Mughal Empire.

What Are the Arguments?

Proponents of the Invitation Theory argue:

• Multiple texts mention a diplomatic envoy from Sanga to Babur.

• Sanga sought to weaken the Delhi Sultanate by any means and thought Babur would leave after the campaign.

• Rajput strategy was to form shifting alliances, not uncommon for the era.

Critics and Revisionist Historians argue:

• There is no Rajput tradition of inviting foreign rulers to intervene.

• Historian G.N. Sharma questioned the logic of inviting Babur, stating:

  "At that time, Babur was not a widely feared warrior. There was no precedent of Rajput rulers sending envoys to outsiders like him."

• Rana Sanga may have miscalculated Babur’s intentions, but did not formally invite him.

What Happened at Khanwa (1527)?

After Babur's victory at Panipat, tensions rose. Rana Sanga saw Babur's continued presence in Delhi and Agra as a threat. He united Rajput kings and Afghan nobles—including Mahmud Lodi, brother of Ibrahim Lodi—to oppose Babur.

Babur’s Strategy:

• Employed Ottoman-style field artillery, which caused chaos among Sanga’s war elephants.

• Used defensive wagons chained together, creating an impenetrable line.

• Declared the war as a “Jihad” to motivate his troops and banned alcohol to present himself as a devout leader.

Rana Sanga’s Valor:

Despite being blind in one eye, having lost an arm, and crippled in one leg, Rana Sanga led from the front on a war elephant. But during the battle, he was seriously wounded by an arrow to the head and had to be removed from the battlefield.

His absence shattered troop morale. A loyal commander Ajja Jhala tried to rally the army by impersonating the king but to no avail.

Aftermath and Death of Rana Sanga

Rana Sanga vowed to return and defeat Babur but died soon after in 1528. Some sources like Satish Chandra suggest he may have been poisoned by his own nobles, frustrated by his insistence on continuing the fight.

Babur’s victory at Khanwa solidified Mughal rule in India, extending his control over Gwalior, Dholpur, and parts of Alwar.

Conclusion: Layers of Truth and Debate

• Did Rana Sanga send emissaries to Babur? — Multiple historical sources indicate that diplomatic contact may have been initiated by Rana Sanga; however, the nature, intent, and extent of this outreach continue to be interpreted differently by historians.

• Did he actively collaborate with Babur against Lodi? — Unlikely, as he did not appear in the 1526 Panipat battle.

• Did Sanga misjudge Babur’s intent? — Most historians agree he did.

• Did Babur use this miscalculation to his advantage? — Absolutely.

The historical record remains open to interpretation, but the dominant academic consensus leans toward diplomatic contact without active alliance. Today’s political narratives may simplify or distort this complexity, but history, when viewed through all its sources, reveals a far more nuanced and human story.

Important Note: It is important to approach such historical questions with an open mind and a spirit of inquiry—through discussion and research, not through conflict or anarchy. Disagreement is a part of learning, but it must be expressed through debate, not disruption."