The First Battle of Panipat, which opened the way for Mughal rule in North India in 1526, was fought between the forces of which two leaders?

Introduction / Context:
The First Battle of Panipat in 1526 is one of the most important turning points in Indian history because it marked the beginning of Mughal rule in North India. Different battles at Panipat occurred in later centuries, and many exam questions require you to correctly match each battle with the main opponents. This question focuses specifically on the first of these battles and asks which leaders fought there.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question is about the First Battle of Panipat in 1526.
• Several pairs of leaders from different periods are listed as options.
• We assume knowledge of basic Mughal chronology and major battles.

Concept / Approach:
Babur, a Timurid prince from Central Asia, invaded North India and faced Ibrahim Lodhi, the last ruler of the Delhi Sultanate from the Lodhi dynasty, at Panipat. Babur artillery and tactics led to Ibrahim Lodhi defeat and death on the battlefield, opening the path for the Mughal empire. Later battles at Panipat involved different combinations, such as the Third Battle with Ahmad Shah Abdali and the Marathas, so the correct pair must be chosen carefully based on the specific year and battle mentioned.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the First Battle of Panipat took place in 1526. Step 2: Identify Babur as the invading leader who sought to establish control in North India. Step 3: Remember that Ibrahim Lodhi, the Sultan of Delhi, opposed Babur at Panipat and was killed in the battle. Step 4: Look at the options and find the pair that includes Babur and Ibrahim Lodhi together. Step 5: Select option D as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify by recalling the three famous battles of Panipat: the first in 1526 between Babur and Ibrahim Lodhi, the second in 1556 between forces of Akbar and Hemu, and the third in 1761 between Ahmad Shah Abdali and the Marathas. Matching these three pairs with the three battles helps confirm that Babur and Ibrahim Lodhi correspond to the first of these battles and thus fit this question perfectly.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, Akbar and Hemu, refers to the Second Battle of Panipat in 1556. Option B, Ahmad Shah Abdali and the Marathas, refers to the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761. Option C, Humayun and Sher Shah Suri, relates to other clashes but not to a battle at Panipat that opened Mughal rule. Option E is an incorrect pairing that does not match any of the canonical Panipat battles in standard exam syllabi.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes mix up the three Panipat battles or simply associate Panipat with whichever pair they remember from another question. Another pitfall is not paying attention to the term first in the question and choosing a later battle pair. To avoid this, always memorise the three Panipat battles in order and attach the proper year and opponents to each one.

Final Answer:
The First Battle of Panipat was fought between Babur and Ibrahim Lodhi in 1526.