Second Battle of Panipat (1556) – Akbar’s Victory over Hemu
Medieval History › Mughal Period · Topic 6.12
At the Second Battle of Panipat on 5 November 1556, the Mughal army under Bairam Khan, serving the 13-year-old Akbar, defeated Hemu, the Afghan wazir who had taken Agra and Delhi. Hemu's artillery had been captured, but the battle was turning his way until an arrow struck his eye and the leaderless Afghan army broke. Hemu was captured and executed, and Akbar virtually reconquered his empire.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · History · Mughal Period
At a Glance
- Date 5 November 1556
- Sides Mughals under Bairam Khan for Akbar; Hemu for Adil Shah
- Turning point An arrow hit Hemu in the eye
- Result Hemu captured and executed
- Akbar’s age Thirteen years and four months at accession
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Medieval History: Mughal Period
Where Does It Fit?
This is the twelfth topic of the category on the Mughal period. The previous topic covered Sher Shah’s architecture, and this topic begins the age of Akbar with the battle that decided the Mughal future. The next topic covers Bairam Khan’s regency and the Uzbek revolt. Previous topic: Sher Shah’s Contribution to Architecture (Rohtas Fort, His Mausoleum at Sasaram).
Who Was the Young Akbar?
In short: Akbar was born in exile, crowned at thirteen, and inherited a kingdom the Afghans were about to contest again.
When Humayun was retreating from Bikaner, the rana of Amarkot gallantly offered him shelter and help. At Amarkot, in 1542, Akbar was born. When Humayun fled to Iran, the child was captured by his uncle Kamran, who treated him well on the whole, and Akbar was reunited with his parents after the capture of Qandhar. At Humayun’s death Akbar was at Kalanaur in the Punjab, commanding operations against the Afghan rebels in that region. He was crowned there in 1556 at thirteen years and four months.
What Position Did Akbar Inherit?
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Afghans | Still strong beyond Agra and regrouping under Hemu for a final showdown |
| Kabul | Attacked and besieged |
| Sikandar Sur | The defeated Afghan ruler, loitering in the Siwalik Hills |
| Regent | Bairam Khan, the prince’s tutor and a loyal favourite of Humayun, became wakil with the title Khan-i-Khanan and rallied the Mughal forces |
| Greatest threat | Hemu, serving Adil Shah, a nephew of Sher Shah, who dominated the area from Chunar to the border of Bengal |
Who Was Hemu?
Hemu had started life as a superintendent of the markets under Islam Shah and had risen rapidly under Adil Shah. He had not lost a single one of the twenty-two battles he had fought. Adil Shah made him wazir with the title of Vikramajit and entrusted him with expelling the Mughals. Hemu captured Agra and, with 50,000 cavalry, 500 elephants and strong artillery, marched on Delhi, where in a well-contested battle he defeated the Mughals and occupied the city.
How Did the Battle Go?
| Stage | Event |
|---|---|
| Response | Bairam Khan took energetic steps; his bold stand put heart into the army, and it marched on Delhi before Hemu could consolidate |
| Artillery | A Mughal detachment had earlier captured Hemu’s artillery |
| Battle | The armies met once again at Panipat on 5 November 1556 |
| Turning point | The tide of battle was in Hemu’s favour when an arrow hit him in the eye and he fainted |
| Collapse | The leaderless Afghan army was defeated; Hemu was captured and executed |
Akbar thus had virtually to reconquer his empire.
What Is the Timeline?
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1542 | Akbar born at Amarkot |
| 1555 | Humayun recovers Delhi and Agra |
| 1556 | Akbar crowned at Kalanaur |
| 1556 | Hemu takes Agra and defeats the Mughals near Delhi |
| 5 November 1556 | Second Battle of Panipat; Hemu executed |
What Was the Significance?
Hemu’s defeat meant that Akbar had virtually to reconquer his empire. At that moment the Afghans were still strong beyond Agra, Kabul was under attack, and the defeated Sikandar Sur was still loitering in the Siwalik Hills, so the danger was real until Panipat decided the matter. As an analytical point, the contest turned on leadership: Hemu had taken Agra and Delhi and held the advantage in the field until he was struck down, and his army, leaderless, was defeated. The two battles at Panipat in 1526 and 1556 and the Ahmad Shah Abdali and allies Maratha commander Sadashivrao Bhau Afghan allies Najib-ud-Daula…">Third Battle of Panipat (1761) – Marathas vs. Ahmad Shah Abdali make the town a decisive site, but each should be kept distinct. For what followed immediately, see Akbar’s Regency Under Bairam Khan and the Revolt of Uzbek Nobles.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Beginning of Akbar’s era Decides the survival of the empire
- Hemu His rise from market superintendent is a common fact
- Link Contrast with 1526 and 1761
What Came Next?
The next topic describes Bairam Khan’s regency and the Uzbek revolt. Next topic: Akbar’s Regency Under Bairam Khan and the Revolt of Uzbek Nobles.
Key People and Terms
- Hemu Wazir of Adil Shah
- Vikramajit Title given to Hemu
- Adil Shah Sher Shah’s nephew
- Bairam Khan Regent with the title Khan-i-Khanan
- Kalanaur Place of Akbar’s coronation
- Wakil Chief minister of the empire
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Date: 5 November 1556.
- Akbar crowned at Kalanaur, aged 13.
- Hemu’s title: Vikramajit.
- An arrow in the eye turned the battle.
- Bairam Khan became Khan-i-Khanan.
Do Not Confuse With
- Hemu and Adil Shah Wazir and general versus the Sur ruler
- Panipat 1556 and Panipat 1526 Akbar’s side versus Hemu, and Babur versus Ibrahim Lodi
- Sikandar Sur and Sikandar Lodi Defeated Sur ruler in the Siwaliks versus the earlier Lodi sultan
Memory Hook
Crowned at thirteen, Delhi lost, Panipat again, an arrow in the eye, Hemu falls.
Mains Angle
Questions on this battle ask why Akbar and not Hemu prevailed. These points add depth.
- Leadership Bairam Khan’s decision
- Chance The arrow
- Consequence Mughal rule restored
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Why was the Second Battle of Panipat important for the Mughal empire?”
How to Answer
- Context Akbar’s accession and Afghan revival.
- Hemu Rise and capture of Delhi.
- Battle Bairam Khan and the arrow.
- Result Empire restored.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Second Battle of Panipat fought?
The Second Battle of Panipat was fought on 5 November 1556 between the Mughal forces under Bairam Khan, acting for the young Akbar, and the Afghan army under Hemu, who had captured Agra and Delhi.
Who was Hemu?
Hemu began as a superintendent of markets under Islam Shah and rose under Adil Shah to become wazir with the title Vikramajit. He was reported to have fought twenty-two battles without losing one before his defeat at Panipat.
How was Hemu defeated at Panipat?
Hemu's artillery had been captured earlier, but the tide was still in his favour until an arrow struck his eye and he fainted. His leaderless army was routed, and Hemu was captured and executed, ending the Afghan challenge.
Who was Bairam Khan?
Bairam Khan was Akbar's tutor and a loyal officer of Humayun. He became wakil of the kingdom with the title Khan-i-Khanan and rallied the Mughal forces, kept control, and led the march to meet Hemu and recover Delhi.
How old was Akbar at accession?
Akbar was crowned at Kalanaur in the Punjab in 1556 at the age of thirteen years and four months. He was commanding operations against Afghan rebels in the Punjab when his father Humayun died, and Bairam Khan steered the government.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Second Battle of Panipat was fought in 1556.
Hemu was defeated.
2 Hemu was the wazir of Adil Shah.
He held the title Vikramajit.
3 Hemu won the Second Battle of Panipat.
He was hit by an arrow and the army was defeated.
4 Akbar was crowned at Kalanaur.
He was thirteen years and four months old.
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