Abbas I vs Babur

Abbas I created a standing army of ghulams (military slaves) recruited from Christian subjects in the Caucasus, particularly Georgians and Armenians. This reduced reliance on the Qizilbash tribal forces, increased royal control, and modernized the military with firearms and artillery.

Abbas I moved the Safavid capital from Qazvin to Isfahan, transforming it into a magnificent city with grand architecture, including Naqsh-e Jahan Square, the Shah Mosque, and the Ali Qapu Palace. This relocation became a symbol of Safavid power and cultural flourishing.

Abbas I sent diplomatic missions to European courts, including those of Philip III of Spain, Rudolf II of the Holy Roman Empire, and Elizabeth I of England, seeking alliances against the Ottoman Empire. These missions opened sustained diplomatic and commercial exchanges between Safavid Persia and Europe.

Abbas I defeated an Ottoman army near Sufiyan, securing Safavid control over Azerbaijan and the Caucasus. This victory was part of the Ottoman-Safavid War of 1603-1618, which resulted in the recapture of Tabriz, Nakhchivan, and Yerevan from Ottoman occupation.

Abbas I, with support from the English East India Company, captured the island of Hormuz from Portuguese control. This ended Portuguese dominance in the Persian Gulf and opened direct trade routes for Safavid Persia with Europe, boosting the silk trade.

Abbas I captured Baghdad from the Ottoman Empire after a siege, restoring Safavid control over Iraq. This victory expanded Safavid territory and gave Abbas control over important Shi'a pilgrimage sites like Najaf and Karbala.

Babur led his army of about 12,000 men against the Delhi Sultanate army of Ibrahim Lodi, which numbered around 100,000. Using gunpowder weapons and innovative tactics, Babur defeated Lodi's forces. This victory established the Mughal Empire in India and marked the beginning of Mughal rule.

Babur defeated the Rajput confederation led by Rana Sanga of Mewar at Khanwa near Agra. The Rajput army was larger and included cavalry and war elephants. Babur's use of artillery and defensive tactics secured the victory. This battle consolidated Mughal control over northern India.

Babur ordered the construction of a mosque in Ayodhya, known as the Babri Masjid. The mosque was built on a site that Hindus believed was the birthplace of the god Rama. This act became a source of religious and political conflict in India for centuries, culminating in the mosque's demolition in 1992.

Babur defeated the combined forces of the Afghan confederation and the Sultan of Bengal at the Ghaghra River. This victory eliminated the last major Afghan resistance in northern India. It extended Mughal control over Bihar and parts of Bengal, further securing Babur's empire.