“Babur’s contribution to the rise of Mughal power was more important than Humayun’s.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the suggestion that Babur’s contribution to the rise of the Mughal Empire was more important than Humayun’s. Candidates may offer equal coverage of Babur and Humayun or they may prioritize their assessment of one of their contributions. However, both rulers will be discussed in the response. Candidates may refer to Babur’s military policies and successes in battles against Indian rulers with the use of artillery and gunpowder, his economic policies including taxation, which helped build the empire, as well as his political policies including his relationship with Indian rulers. The empire may not have existed but for his efforts. Humayun too laid the foundations for the new capital at Delhi. He had some initial military successes at Kalinjar and against Bahadur Shah of Gujarat but then was defeated by the Afghans under Sher Shah and lost his empire but eventually managed to regain it. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.