The First Battle of Panipat, fought in 1526, took place between which of the following rulers?

Introduction / Context:
This question is from medieval Indian history and deals with one of the most important turning points in the subcontinent's political narrative. The First Battle of Panipat, fought in 1526, is widely regarded as the event that laid the foundation of Mughal rule in India. Identifying the two main opponents in this battle helps fix the event in your mind and distinguish it from other famous battles also associated with Panipat or with figures like Akbar and Rana Sanga.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks which rulers fought the First Battle of Panipat in 1526.
• Options pair different famous rulers: Akbar and Hemu; Babur and Rana Sanga; Ibrahim Lodhi and Babur; Prithviraj Chauhan and Muhammad Ghori.
• We assume standard chronologies of the Delhi Sultanate and early Mughal period.
• We focus on matching the correct pair with the correct battle and year.

Concept / Approach:
The First Battle of Panipat (1526) was fought between Zahir-ud-din Babur, the ruler of Kabul, and Ibrahim Lodhi, the last Sultan of the Delhi Sultanate's Lodhi dynasty. Babur's victory, aided by effective use of gunpowder artillery and field tactics, resulted in Ibrahim Lodhi's death and the collapse of Lodhi rule, opening the way for the Mughal Empire in North India. The Second Battle of Panipat (1556) was between Akbar's forces and Hemu, while Babur fought Rana Sanga at the Battle of Khanwa (1527), and Prithviraj Chauhan fought Muhammad Ghori at the Battles of Tarain, not at Panipat.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Fix the basic fact that the First Battle of Panipat occurred in 1526 and led to the establishment of Mughal power under Babur.Step 2: Recall that at this time the ruling Sultan in Delhi was Ibrahim Lodhi of the Lodhi dynasty.Step 3: Match this with the option 'Ibrahim Lodhi and Babur' as the correct pairing for the First Battle of Panipat.Step 4: Recognise that 'Akbar and Hemu' refers to the Second Battle of Panipat in 1556, not the first.Step 5: Remember that Babur and Rana Sanga faced each other at the Battle of Khanwa near Agra in 1527, not at Panipat.Step 6: Note that Prithviraj Chauhan and Muhammad Ghori fought the Battles of Tarain (1191, 1192) centuries earlier, unrelated to Panipat.

Verification / Alternative check:
All standard history textbooks and competitive exam guides clearly state that the First Battle of Panipat (1526) was between Babur and Ibrahim Lodhi. They further explain that this battle marked the end of the Delhi Sultanate's Lodhi rule and the beginning of Mughal dominance. Multiple-choice questions on this topic nearly always present options similar to these and mark 'Ibrahim Lodhi and Babur' as the correct answer, confirming our selection.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Akbar and Hemu: They fought the Second Battle of Panipat in 1556, not the first.Babur and Rana Sanga: They confronted each other at the Battle of Khanwa (1527), not at Panipat.Prithviraj Chauhan and Muhammad Ghori: Fought the Battles of Tarain (near Thanesar), not the Battle of Panipat.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often confuse different major battles and their participants, especially because names like Panipat, Khanwa and Tarain appear repeatedly. Another pitfall is mixing the First and Second Battles of Panipat. To avoid such errors, remember the simple mapping: First Panipat (1526) – Babur vs. Ibrahim Lodhi; Second Panipat (1556) – Akbar vs. Hemu; Khanwa (1527) – Babur vs. Rana Sanga; Tarain (1191, 1192) – Prithviraj Chauhan vs. Muhammad Ghori.

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