The Battle of Khanwa, fought on March 16, 1527, between Babur's Timurid forces and the Rajput Confederation led by Rana Sanga, was a pivotal event in Medieval Indian history. This battle, significant for the extensive use of gunpowder in Northern India, ended in a decisive victory for Babur, further solidifying the Mughal Empire's control over northern India. Unlike the earlier Battle of Panipat against the weakened Delhi Sultanate, Khanwa pitted Babur against the formidable Mewar kingdom, marking one of the most crucial confrontations in the Mughal conquest.

Babur's initial focus on Punjab shifted towards a broader ambition for dominance in India, encouraged by internal dissensions within the Lodi dynasty and invitations from Lodi dissenters. Despite early setbacks and resistance from local forces, Babur's victories, notably at Panipat, established his foothold in India. Conflicting accounts exist regarding alliances, with Babur's memoirs suggesting a proposed but unmaterialized alliance with Rana Sanga against the Lodi dynasty, a claim contested by Rajput and other historical sources which highlight Babur's proactive efforts to secure alliances and legitimize his invasions.

Prior to Khanwa, Babur faced threats from both Rana Sanga and eastern India's Afghan rulers. Initial skirmishes, including the successful resistance by Rana Sanga at Bayana, underscored the Rajputs' formidable challenge. Babur's strategic focus shifted towards defending against Sanga's advancing forces, capturing key territories to secure Agra's outskirts. The Rajputs' military prowess and the strategic alliance against Babur, incorporating various Rajput and Afghan forces, aimed at expelling Babur and restoring the Lodi empire.

The battle's tactics showcased Babur's defensive preparations, leveraging muskets and artillery against the traditional Rajput charge. Despite the Rajputs' initial success in disrupting Mughal positions, internal betrayals and the eventual incapacitation of Rana Sanga shifted the battle's tide in Babur's favor. The construction of a tower of skulls post-victory was intended to terrorize opponents, a practice inherited from Timur.

Rana Sanga's subsequent withdrawal and death, under mysterious circumstances, prevented any further direct challenges to Babur's rule. The Battle of Khanwa thus not only reaffirmed Mughal supremacy in northern India but also marked a significant shift in Indian warfare, emphasizing the effectiveness of gunpowder weapons and setting the stage for the Mughal Empire's expansion and consolidation.