Listing all historic battles in India is an extensive task due to the country’s long and diverse history . Here is a comprehensive list of some of the most significant battles across different periods in Indian history.
Ancient Period
Battle of the Ten Kings ( Dasarajna) ( circa 14th century BCE)
A major conflict mentioned in the Rigveda , where King Sudas of the Bharatas defeated a confederation of ten kings.
Battle of Hydaspes ( 326 BCE )
Fought between Alexander the Great and King Porus. Alexander’s victory expanded his empire into the Indian subcontinent
Medieval Period
Battle of Kalinga ( 261 BCE )
Fought between the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka and the state of Kalinga . The large – scale bloodshed and suffering led Ashoka to embrace Buddhism and non – violence.
Battle of the Hydaspes ( 326 BCE )
Between Alexander the Great and King Porus, resulting in Alexander’s victory. Location banks of Jhelum River ( modern – day Pakistan )
First Battle of Tarain ( 1191 CE )
Fought between Prithviraj Chauhan and Muhammad Ghori, Prithviraj emerged victorious in this battle.
Second Battle of Tarain ( 1192 CE )
Muhammad Ghori defeated Pritvira Chauhan,leading to the establishment of Muslim rule in northern India .
Battle of Chandawar ( 1194 CE )
Fought between Muhammad Ghori and Jaichand of Kannauj, resulting in Jaichand’s defeat
Battle of Kili ( 1299 CE)
Fought between the Delhi Sultanate under Alauddin Khilji and the Mongols , resulting in a decisive Sultanate victory
Battle of Amroha ( 1305 CE )
Fought between Alauddin Khilji’s forces and the Mongols, ending in another victory for Khilji.
Battle of Tughlaqabad ( 1321 CE )
Fought Between Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq and Khusro Khan, resulting in Tughlaq’s victory and the establishment of the Tughlaq dynasty.
First Battle of Panipat ( 1526 CE )
Fought between Babur and Ibrahim Lodi, marking the beginning of the Mughal Empire in India .
Battle of Khanwa ( 1527 CE )
Fought between Babur and Rana Sanga of Mewar , resulting in Babur’s victory and consolidation of Mughal rule.
Battle of Chausa ( 1539 CE )
Fought between Sher Shah Suri and Mughal Empeor Humayun resulting in Sher Shah’s victory.
Battle of Kannauj ( 1540 CE )
Another defeat for Humayun by Sher Shah Suri, leading to Sher Shah establishing the Suri dynasty
Second Battle of Panipat ( 1556 CE )
Fought between Akbar and Hemu resulting in a decisive Mughal victory and the re – establishment of Mughal rule.
Battle of Talikota ( 1565 CE )
The Deccan Sultanates defeated the Vijayanagar Empire, leading to the empire’s decline.
Colonial Period
Battle of Plassey ( 1757 CE )
Fought between the British East India Company led by Robert Clive and the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj – ud- Daulah. The British victory laid the foundation for British rule in India.
Battle of Buxar ( 1764 CE )
Fought between the British East india Company and a coalition of Indian rulers. The British victory cemented their control over Bengal and Bihar .
Battle of Seringapatam ( 1799 CE )
Fought between the British East India Company and Tipu Sultan, resulting in the death of tipu Sultan and end of the Mysore kingdom as a significant power .
First Anglo- Maratha War ( 1775 – 1782 CE )
A Conflict between the British east India Company and the Maratha Empire, ending with the Treaty of Salbai and a temporary peace.
Second Anglo- Maratha War ( 1803 – 1805 CE )
Another conflict between the British and the Marathas, resulting in significant territorial gains for the British.
Third Anglo – Maratha War ( 1817 – 1818 CE )
The final conflict between the British and the Marathas, leading to the dissolution of the Maratha Empire and the consolidation of British control over India.
First Anglo – Sikh War ( 1845 – 1846 CE )
Fought between the British East India Company and the Sikh Empire, resulting in British victory and partial control over Punjab
Second Anglo – Sikh War (1848 – 1849 CE )
Another conflict between the British and the Sikhs , resulting in the complete annexation of Punjab by the British.
First War of Indian Independence ( Sepoy Mutiny / Rebellion ) (1857 – 1858 CE )
A widespread but ultimately unsuccessful rebellion against British rule, marked by major battles such as those in Delhi, Kanpur and Lucknow.
Modern Period
India – Pakistan Wars ( 1947- 1948 , 1965, 1971 , 1999)
A series of wars fought between India and Pakistan over territorial dispute , primarily focused on the Kashmir region.
Sino – Indian War ( 1962 )
A border conflict between China and India, resulting in a Chinese victory and significant territorial adjustments.
These battles span the vast timeline of India’s history , from ancient to modern times and have played crucial roles in shaping the nation’s Socio- political Landscape.