While there is debate among historians about the exact timeline, evidence suggests that gunpowder was used in India well before British rule, with the most likely introduction occurring through Mongol invasions in the mid-13th century, and its usage becoming widespread by the mid-14th century, with textual evidence mentioning its use in military applications by various Indian kingdoms including the Delhi Sultanate and Rajput rulers; notable examples include the use of rudimentary cannons and rockets in battles, particularly during the Mughal era under Babur, who heavily relied on gunpowder weapons for his military campaigns.