Assertion (A) : The Battle of Khanua was certainly more decisive and significant than the First Battle of Panipat. Reason (R) : Rana Sanga, the Rajput hero, was certainly a more formidable adversary than Ibrahim Lodi.

The correct answer is Option 1.

Assertion (A) is true because while the First Battle of Panipat (1526) established a foothold, the Battle of Khanua (1527) was more decisive. Panipat merely overthrew the declining Lodi dynasty, but Khanua crushed a powerful confederacy of Rajput kingdoms and Afghan remains, firmly establishing the Mughal Empire in India.

Reason (R) is also true and provides the correct explanation. Rana Sanga was a legendary military veteran who commanded a massive coalition of regional powers, making him a far more formidable adversary than Ibrahim Lodi, whose authority was undermined by internal desertions. Defeating such a potent rival was essential for Babur to eliminate the primary challenge to his sovereignty.

Since the superior strength and leadership of Rana Sanga (R) directly necessitated a more significant and decisive military victory (A) to secure the empire, R correctly explains A.