16th March – The Day of Wars
Know the history of 16th March. We share the most significant events of this day’s history. It is this day, which saw major destruction in the form of battle of Khanwa and the My Lai Massacre
Hello, I am time. I have witnessed it all. Be the creation or be the destruction. So today I bring to you the history of this day, the 16th of March. Firstly join me in wishing a very happy birthday to living legends Kabir Suman and Tanushree Shankar, more on them some other time. The 16th of March is prominently known as a day of destruction. It is this day when the world witnessed The war of Khanwa and The My Lai massacre.
The Battle of Khanwa
The Battle of Khanwa was a historic clash that occurred on March 17, 1527, near the village of Khanwa in the present-day state of Rajasthan, India. This battle saw the usage of gunpowder for the first time in this region. It was fought between the forces of Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, and the Rajput Confederacy led by Rana Sanga of Mewar.
The Rajput Confederacy was a coalition of Hindu kingdoms in northern India that had joined forces to stop the expansion of Babur’s empire. They fielded a large army, estimated to be around 80,000-100,000 soldiers, which included a significant number of elephants, considered a formidable weapon of war at the time.
On the other hand, Babur’s forces were outnumbered, with an army of around 20,000-25,000 soldiers, but they had the advantage of superior tactics and weaponry. Babur had also brought with him his personal artillery, which proved to be a decisive factor in the battle.
The battle began with a frontal assault by the Rajput Confederacy, which was repulsed by Babur’s artillery fire. Babur then ordered his cavalry to launch a surprise attack on the Rajput flanks, which caused chaos in their ranks. The Rajputs tried to regroup, but they were eventually defeated after a fierce struggle.
The battle of Khanwa was a significant victory for Babur, as it enabled him to consolidate his hold on northern India and establish the Mughal Empire. The Rajputs suffered heavy losses, with some estimates putting the casualties at around 10,000 soldiers. Rana Sanga was also injured in the battle, and he later died due to his injuries.
The battle of Khanwa is considered a turning point in Indian history, as it marked the beginning of Mughal domination over northern India and paved the way for the establishment of a unified Indian empire under Mughal rule.
My Lai Massacre
The My Lai Massacre was a tragic event that took place on March 16, 1968, during the Vietnam War. American soldiers from the Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, entered the village of My Lai and proceeded to massacre hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.
The soldiers, who had been trained to see the Vietnamese people as the enemy, carried out this horrific act in just a few hours. The massacre was discovered by a helicopter pilot, Hugh Thompson, who intervened to stop the killings and rescue some of the civilians.
The My Lai Massacre shocked the world and led to widespread condemnation of the war. It also had a profound impact on the American public’s perception of the conflict and the conduct of the military. The event was later investigated by the U.S. Army, and many of the soldiers involved were either court-martialed or received other forms of punishment.
The My Lai Massacre stands as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of war and the importance of maintaining the highest standards of morality and ethical behavior in all military operations.
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