In medieval Indian military history, who among the following rulers is generally regarded as the first to make effective use of gunpowder artillery and field cannons in open battlefield warfare?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your knowledge of the introduction of gunpowder artillery and field cannons in medieval Indian warfare. The shift from traditional cavalry and elephant based armies to gunpowder based tactics was a turning point in military history. Understanding which ruler first used artillery effectively in a large scale battle helps you connect technology with political change, especially the rise of the Mughal Empire in India.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The period is medieval India, before full consolidation of the Mughal Empire.
• The focus is on the first effective use of gunpowder artillery and field cannons.
• Rulers listed in the options are Babur, Ibrahim Lodi, Sher Shah Suri, Akbar and Alauddin Khalji.
• The question asks who is generally regarded as the first to use artillery effectively in open warfare, not just experimentally.

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is the First Battle of Panipat in 1526. Babur, an adventurer from Central Asia and the founder of the Mughal Empire in India, brought with him Turkish style matchlock guns and field artillery, organised with the help of Ottoman expert Ustad Ali Quli. At Panipat, Babur combined artillery with tactics such as wagon laagers and field fortifications to break the much larger army of Ibrahim Lodi. Earlier Indian rulers may have known of gunpowder, but Babur is widely credited with being the first to use modern artillery systematically and decisively in a major Indian battle.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the First Battle of Panipat (1526) is famous for the introduction of gunpowder artillery in North Indian warfare.Step 2: Identify Babur as the commander who used cannons and matchlocks in a planned formation, not just as occasional weapons.Step 3: Note that his opponent, Ibrahim Lodi, relied mainly on traditional cavalry, elephants and archers, and did not use artillery in an organised way.Step 4: Recognise that Sher Shah Suri and Akbar came later and used artillery after Babur had already demonstrated its effectiveness.Step 5: Conclude that Babur is the first medieval Indian ruler commonly credited with effective battlefield use of artillery.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard history textbooks and exam guides consistently link the First Battle of Panipat with the introduction of gunpowder artillery by Babur. They often describe his army as small but technologically advanced. Later Mughal emperors, especially Akbar, developed a more regular artillery branch, but Babur remains the pioneer in the Indian context. Earlier rulers such as Alauddin Khalji fought mainly with conventional weapons, and no famous battle before 1526 is described as an artillery based victory.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Ibrahim Lodi: He commanded the opposing army at Panipat and relied mainly on elephants and cavalry. He did not use artillery in a decisive manner.
• Sher Shah Suri: A brilliant strategist who later used firearms and artillery, but he followed Babur chronologically.
• Akbar: He organised a strong artillery department, but the initial introduction of artillery in Indian warfare had already occurred under Babur.
• Alauddin Khalji: He ruled before gunpowder weapons became significant in Indian warfare and is more associated with cavalry and siege tactics.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the ruler who first introduced artillery with the ruler who created a fully developed artillery branch. Akbar is famous for having a powerful imperial army with artillery, so some candidates wrongly choose him. Others mistakenly think that the defending Sultan at Panipat, Ibrahim Lodi, may have used artillery. To avoid this, always remember the pair Babur plus First Battle of Panipat as the starting point for artillery based warfare in medieval India.

Final Answer:
The first medieval Indian ruler who made effective use of gunpowder artillery and field cannons in open battlefield warfare was Babur.