Third Battle of Panipat

Prelims – History of India

Mains – Significant issues in Modern Indian History

Why in News?

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently said that the Third Battle of Panipat was a testament to the bravery of the Marathas and not a reminder of their defeat.

• Background - The Maratha Empire, having expanded its influence after weakening the Mughal Empire, faced a challenge from Ahmad Shah Durrani, who sought to assert his authority in the region.
• Time period - January 14, 1761, at Panipat, about 95.5 km north of Delhi.
• Opposing sides

• Maratha Leadership- Sadashivrao Bhau, the commander-in-chief of the Maratha camp.
• Afghan Leadership - Ahmad Shah Durrani, also known as Ahmad Shah Abdali.
• Causes - Baji Rao’s son, Balaji Baji Rao (popularly known as Nana Saheb), increased the territory under Maratha control by invading Punjab in 1758.
• This brought the Marathas into direct confrontation with the Durrani empire of Ahmad Shah Abdali.
• In 1759 Abdali raised an army from the Pashtun tribes and made several gains against the smaller Maratha garrisons in Punjab.
• He then joined with his Indian allies, the Rohilla Afghans of the Gangetic Doab, forming a broad coalition against the Marathas.
• Militarily, the battle pitted the French-supplied artillery and cavalry of the Marathas against the heavy cavalry and mounted artillery (zamburak and jizail) of the Afghans and Rohillas led by Ahmad Shah Durrani and Najib-ud-Daulah, both ethnic Pashtuns.
• Outcome - The Afghan forces led by Ahmad Shah Durrani won the Third Battle of Panipat.
• About 40,000 Maratha prisoners were slaughtered in cold blood the day after the battle.
• The battle halted Maratha advances in the north, destabilizing territories for 10 years, culminating in Peshwa Madhavrao's rule, which revived Maratha domination after Panipat's defeat.
• In 1771, after Panipat, a Maratha army was sent to North India to re-establish Maratha domination and punish refractory powers.

Reference

The Hindu | Third Battle of Panipat