History of Cannons Cannons were first developed and used in China sometime between the 12th and 13th centuries, evolving from earlier gunpowder weapons like the fire lance. Earlier Chinese Cannon - 12th Century During the Battle of Ain Jalut in 1260, the Mamluk Turks used a cannon to defeat the Mongols. This was the first use of a cannon in Islamic history that used a gunpowder formula. Super-sized cannons were used by the troops of Mehmet II to capture Constantinople, in 1453. Mughal Cannons Conquers India Impact of Cannons in Battle of Panipat Cannons were the game-changing advantage that allowed Babur ’s small army to defeat the massive, traditional forces of the Delhi Sultanate led by Ibrahim Lodhi . They fundamentally altered the battlefield through superior firepower, psychological warfare, and defensive fortification. At the First Battle of Panipat (1526), Babur understood this advantage and his cannons artillery by tying together hundreds of wooden carts ( Arab...