2nd Battle of Panipat

Developments in Delhi and Agra disturbed the Mughals at Kalanaur. Many Mughal Generals advised Akbar to retreat to Kabul as Mughal forces may not face Hemu's might and new awareness among Hindus to liberate their country, but Bairam Khan decided in favor of war. Akbar's army marched towards Delhi. On November 5, both armies met at the historic battlefield of Panipat, where, thirty years earlier, Akbar's grandfather Babur had defeated Ibrahim Lodi in what is now known as the First Battle of Panipat. The Mughal forces were charged repeatedly by elephants to break their lines. Hemu was himself commanding his forces from atop an elephant. It seemed Hemu was on a winning track and Akbar's army would rout. However, Khan Zaman I, the veteran of many a wars and an able general had planned otherwise. With a much smaller army, his plan was clear. The warriors of that time, including Hemu wore armour completely covering their body specially the vulnerable organs except the eyes. After repeated attempts a stray arrow struck Hemu's eye and he was knocked down senseless, almost dead in his howdah (elephant seat) on the elephant. Not seeing Hemu in his howda, Hemu’s army was in disarray and defeated in the ensuing confusion. Almost dead Hemu was captured by Shah Quli Khan Mahram and brought to Akbar’s tent in the camp located at village Saudhapur in Panipat (Located on Panipat-Jind road, 5 km from NH1). General Bairam Khan was desirous that Akbar should slay General Hemu himself and should establish his right to the title of “Ghazi” (Champion of Faith or war veteran). But Akbar, refused to strike a dead enemy but smote the dead body, just to be called a Ghazi. Bairam Khan irritated by Akbar’s scruples[citation needed] beheaded Hemu himself. Hemu's supporters constructed a Cenotaph at the site of his beheading, which is still existing at the village Saudhapur.

Aftermath
After winning the war, a genocide was carried by Akbar's forces of the Hindu community of Hemu. Thousands