Gunpowder India

Reading up on the Mughals and Indian History in general it seems that if the Indian state of this period had access or developed competant Matchlock and Cannon weapons comparable to the Ottomans, Europe, and the Ming then it is highly possible that they could have resisted the advance of the Mughals who under Babur had adopted the technology himself sometime from 1511-1519- no doubt from the Ottomans themselves and likewise the Safavids adopted it after their crushing defeat by the Ottomans. Likewise with the Portugese and other Europeans.

The entire makeup of the Indian States that exsisted just prior to the Mughal Invasion would themselves have looked totally different as many of the smaller ones like Malwa existed so long thanks to effective and extensive use of fortifications that the advanced gunpowder technology of the era could have demolished. Author John keay in his book on Indian History makes the statement himself of what could have happened if Chinese Gunners had been able to visit India from over the Himalayas or the Trade Ships on the Water section of the Silk Road.
 
Well as far as I know, artillery was always second to cavalry to the Mughals. This was due to a few factors I think. The focus on cavalry to central Asian Turks (a decent number of the Mughal military), and the fact that gunpowder was almost considered "unmanly" and "inhumane" to the Safavids, and I'd assume that this would rub off on the Mughals.
 
Well as far as I know, artillery was always second to cavalry to the Mughals. This was due to a few factors I think. The focus on cavalry to central Asian Turks (a decent number of the Mughal military), and the fact that gunpowder was almost considered "unmanly" and "inhumane" to the Safavids, and I'd assume that this would rub off on the Mughals.

Though artillery came second to cavalry, over time, it's importance would increase....and guns were provided to infantry, not to mention camel gunners. And the Rajputs adopted cannonry from the Mughals as well, equipping many of their forts with it. Though many Persian ideas affected theMughal court, their thoughts on guns really didn't.

Also, keep in mind, guns were what led to the defeat of the Delhi Sultanate by Babar.

Even Akbar attempted to acquire the ship ready artillery and cannonry of the Portuguese to outfit Mughal ships. The Portuguese declined, so the Mughal Navy never really developed, but the attempt demonstrates the importance of guns in the Mughal state.

More importantly however, is to remember that Vijayanagaralso had guns operated by Turkic gunners, and over time, artillery and cannonry would be widespread throughout India because of Turkic influence.
 
Hmm? Babur had readily adopted the cannons and matchlocks into his army by the time he invaded India with an intent to depose the Lodis.
 
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