Which factor played a major role in the Mughal Empire's rise to power in the 16th century?

Military power.

Explanation:

Babur conquered Delhi's Turkish Ghur'iat Sultanate in 1526 and imposed his rule over much of Northern India. The Empire he established was a complex, religiously tolerant society. It was also called the gunpowder empire because it was the use of cannons which have saved the day for Babur. however, it was the third emperor on the lineage, Akbar who was able to broaden the empire in all directions through warfare and diplomacy.

the fact that could also be added to column b is that during world war ii, specifically between the years 1941 and 1945, japan expanded its territory towards the indonesian territory in what was known later as part of the "pacific war". in that time, japan could conquer the philipines, singapore,   borneo, central java, malang, cebu, sumatra and various other islands of the area, therefore expanding its territory for a brief period of time.

in 1989, tiananmen square in beijing was the site of china’s main industries. china’s government headquarters. -pro-democracy demonstrations. (second choice)