5 Most Epic Battles Ever Fought in India

Every major battle fought in history has led to the emergence of some influential leaders, introduced lethal weapons, and established revolutionary tactics. And so is Indian history that has witnessed several significant battles. Some of them were to gain independence from foreign rule and some were to protect the subcontinent and its wealth from the native powers.

Here are some of the epic battles ever fought in India that markedly changed its history.

1. Battle of Panipat

Source = Wikimedia

The Battle of Panipat was carried out in 1526 between the forces of the Lodhi Empire and the Mughal Empire. It happened in North India and resulted in the establishment of the Mughal empire. It was among India’s earliest battles that made use of gunpowder firearms and field artillery.

In 1526, most parts of northern India were under the rule of Ibrahim Lodi of the Delhi Sultanate. Dissatisfied with Lodi, his nobles reached out to Babur and wanted that he took over him. So, Babur carried out the invasion. Babur had a force of nearly 15,000 troops that outnumbered Lodi’s 30,000-40,000 troops. 

Babur’s secret weapon ‘24 pieces of artillery’ drove off Lodi’s soldiers behind carts during the battle. This helped him kill Lodi and destroy much of his forces. From thereon, more than 300-year reign of the Mughal Empire began.

2. The Kargil War

Source = India

The Kargil War (or Kargil conflict) was an armed conflict that was fought between India and Pakistan from May until July 1999 at the Kargil district of Kashmir and along the Line of Control (LOC). India also refers to it as the ‘Operation Vijay’ that was the name of the Indian operation to clear the Kargil sector.

The war was caused due to the intrusion of Pakistani soldiers and Kashmiri militants on the Indian side of LOC that serves as the de facto border between the two. At the early stage of the war, Pakistan kept blaming the independent Kashmiri rebels for it. 

However, the documents left behind by the casualties and statements given by Pakistan’s PM and Chief of Army Staff revealed the involvement of Pakistani paramilitary forces, led by General Ashraf Rashid. The Indian Army, along with the later support of the Indian Air Force, regained most of the positions on LOC’s Indian side. As a subsequent opposition from international diplomats, the Pakistani forces pulled out from the remaining Indian positions along the LOC.

3. Kalinga War

Source = Historydiscussion

The Kalinga War (c. 262 – c. 261 BCE) was fought in India between the Ashoka-led Maurya empire and the independent feudal kingdom of Kalinga (of present-day Orissa). It happens to be one of the bloodiest and biggest battles in Indian history. The fierce resistance from Kalingans didn’t aid much and the Maurya Empire emerged victorious, annexing the state of Kalinga.

This was the only major war fought by Ashoka after his succession to the throne. They say that the bloodshed caused in this war made Ashoka adopt Buddhism.

4. The Revolt of 1857

Source = Blogspot

The Revolt of 1857 marked the major yet unsuccessful uprising against the rule of the British East India Company. It is also called the Indian Rebellion of 1857, Sepoy Mutiny or the Indian Mutiny, the Great Rebellion, the Indian Insurrection, or India's First War of Independence. It took place from 10 May 1857 and ended on 8 July 1859 and gradually spread to different parts of India notably in Meerut, Gwalior.

5. Battle of Plassey

Source = Britishbattles

The Battle of Plassey was the battle that marked the beginning of the British Empire in India. It led to British rule over the rich province of Bengal that subsequently spread all over India. The Nawab of Bengal Siraj-Ud-Daulah along with his French allies was defeated by Robert Clive with his troop of British soldiers and Indian sepoys.