Third Battle of Panipat: Explore the details of the Third Battle of Panipat in the article provided below. This historic event occurred on January 14, 1761, at Panipat, involving the Maratha Empire’s northern invasion force and a coalition led by Ahmad Shah Durrani, the King of Afghanistan, alongside two Indian Muslim allies—the Rohilla Afghans of the Doab and Shuja-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Oudh.
The conflict witnessed the engagement of the Afghan and Rohilla heavy cavalry, accompanied by mounted artillery such as zamburak and jizail. These forces were under the command of Ahmad Shah Durrani and Najib-ud-Daulah, both hailing from Pashtun descent. They faced the Marathas, supported by French-supplied artillery and cavalry, the latter also referred to as Ahmad Shah Abdali.
Third Battle of Panipat
In the 18th century, the Marathas gained strength by triumphing over the Mughal empires. Their goal was to expand their kingdom across various parts of India, aiming to control a vast stretch from the Indus to the southern regions. They succeeded in establishing their rule in Delhi. However, in 1747, Ahmed Shah Abdali established his own dominion in Afghanistan and extended his authority to Punjab.
The three battles of Panipat unfolded in Haryana, where the Afghan forces received substantial support from the Nawab of Awadh and Rohilla Afghans. On the other side, the Maratha rulers faced difficulties in garnering support from the Rajputs, Sikhs, and Jats. These conflicts resulted in significant casualties for the Marathas, including the loss of key figures like Vishwas Rao and Sadashiv Rao to the Durrani armies.
The defeat led to the demise of the Peshwa and a heavy toll on Maratha forces. Following this, Durrani, the leader of the Afghan forces, did not return to India and instead went back to Afghanistan. He entrusted control to Robert Clive, marking the beginning of India being governed by the East India Company.
Third Battle of Panipat History
After a long 27-year conflict between the Mughals and Marathas from 1680 to 1707, the Mughal Empire weakened and the Maratha Empire grew. Peshwa Baji Rao expanded Maratha control by adding Malwa and Gujarat to their territory. Then, in 1737, Baji Rao defeated the Mughals near Delhi, extending Maratha rule into much of the former Mughal lands south of Delhi.
This expansion caused tensions between the Marathas and Ahmad Shah Abdali’s Durrani Empire. In 1747, Ahmad Shah Durrani established the Durrani Empire in Afghanistan and took over Lahore. He also gained control of Sindh and Punjab. Timur Shah, Durrani’s son, governed Lahore. However, Maratha Peshwa Bajirao managed to seize Lahore from Timur Shah.
In 1759, Ahmad Shah Durrani organized a Pashtun army that successfully defeated several Maratha strongholds in Punjab. Delhi had very little influence from the Mughals at that time. Many people asked Durrani to stop the Marathas from expanding further because they were concerned. To counter the Marathas, Durrani allied with his Indian friends, the Rohilla Afghans of the Gangetic Doab, forming a strong coalition against the Marathas.
Third Battle of Panipat Fought Between
In terms of numbers and strength, Durrani and his supporters held a greater military power compared to the Maratha forces. Shuja-ud-daulah’s support was evident as he supplied essential funds for the Afghan forces to stay in northern India for an extended period. The Maratha capital was located in Pune, while the actual battlefield was several kilometres away.
Third Battle of Panipat Significance
In early 1752, the Maratha rulers gained control over the Mughal dynasty. Their next aim was to capture Punjab. However, Durrani had already established his rule in Punjab with a vision to make India prosperous. When the Marathas expelled Durrani’s representatives, the Afghani army set their sights on making Delhi their capital. The third battle of Panipat turned out to be a catastrophe for the Marathas.
This battle hinted at the possibility of the Mughal dynasty being replaced in India. It also allowed the British government to extend their influence in India, as the Afghani leadership was less focused on political expansion. This battle held immense significance in world history as it shattered the ambitions of both the Mughals and the Marathas. After defeating many Maratha troops, the Durrani army emerged victorious.
Third Battle of Panipat Causes
The Third Battle of Panipat, which happened in 1761, was a big fight in India. It happened because different groups wanted power. The Mughal Empire was getting weaker, while the Marathas were getting stronger. There was also Ahmed Shah Abdali, an Afghan leader who wanted more land.
These tensions led to a huge battle. It wasn’t just one thing that caused the fight. It was a mix of problems between groups, like who had control, what they believed, and where they wanted to rule. This battle became a big moment in India’s history because of all these reasons.
Mughal Empire Disturbance
The Mughal Empire faced trouble when Nadir Shah invaded. The areas controlled by local leaders were freed. Unity among these leaders broke when the Sayyad brothers died. Ahmed became braver upon learning about this situation.
Maratha Dominance
Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao and his leaders had already made others fear them in the South by gaining power in Karnataka and over the Nizam. Raghunathrao then went to Punjab, conquered it, and marked their territory there. Raghunathrao became the leader in Punjab, placing his trusted Sardar Adani Beg in charge. They defeated Ahmed Shah Abdali’s descendant, Vimurashah. This made Ahmed Shah Abdali decide to attack India.
Internal Conflicts
The Mughal Emperor sought refuge with the Marathas out of fear for their control. With the Marathas’ help, Mughal Vajeet Safdarjang defeated the Ruhela leaders. This turned Ruhela against both the Marathas and the Mughals. Marathas also fought against the Nizam, Avadh, and the Rajputs. Due to disagreements between Ishwar Singh and Madhav Singh, Scindia and Holkar became additional enemies. Ahmed Shah Abdali gained a lot of support due to these internal conflicts.
Maratha Hindu Influence
Marathas strongly follow Hinduism. They aimed to expand their Hindu Empire. Most Muslims in India didn’t support them, and even the Rajputs didn’t assist them.
Welcome to Ahmed Shah Abdali
In India’s history, some leaders were supported by welcoming invaders. Just like Jai Chand welcomed Muhammad Ghori and Daulat Khan welcomed Babur, Ruhels and Rajputs also encouraged Ahmed Shah Abdali to attack India.
Ahmed Shah Abdali’s Outrage
Ahmed Shah Abdali ruled over Punjab, Sirhind, and other areas for a while. Despite his defeats, his anger flared when the Marathas won in Punjab. He immediately attacked India after receiving support from the Ruhels and Rajputs.
Third Battle of Panipat Impact
Right after the fight, the Afghan army killed many Maratha soldiers and civilians in the streets of Panipat. The women and children who lost were taken as prisoners to Afghan camps. The day after the battle, about 40,000 Maratha prisoners were brutally killed. Sadashivrao Bhau and Vishwasrao, the Peshwa’s son, were among those who died in the battle.
The Peshwa Balaji Bajirao was deeply affected and never fully recovered from this defeat. Both sides suffered heavy losses. Although the Marathas faced a setback, they managed to regain control of Delhi ten years later under Peshwa Madhavrao. Durrani, the Afghan leader, didn’t stay in India for long. He restored Mughal Shah Alam II as the Emperor in Delhi.
Third Battle of Panipat Result
After the defeat at Panipat, the Marathas faced challenges in the north which made their territories unstable for around ten years. Peshwa Madhavrao played a crucial role during this time by restoring Maratha power.
In 1771, Peshwa Madhavrao led a significant Maratha army to Northern India. The aim was to regain Maratha influence in the region and punish those rulers who had sided with the Afghans, such as the Rohillas, or had rejected Maratha authority after Panipat. The success of this campaign marked an important moment after the events at Panipat.
Third Battle of Panipat Conclusion
The Marathas succeeded in weakening the authority of the Mughals and established their own control during that era. However, their dominance faced a setback after the third battle of Panipat in 1761. This battle marked the end of Maratha expansion in India and notably boosted the influence of the British government, leading them to become the primary rulers of the country.
It had a profound impact on India’s culture, politics, and economy. Despite the Marathas’ defence against the Afghans, they lost their sovereignty permanently, missing the opportunity to regain control in Panipat.
Third Battle of Panipat FAQs
Who won in the 3rd Battle of Panipat?
After defeating many Maratha flanks, the forces commanded by Ahmad Shah Durrani prevailed.
Why was the 3rd battle of Panipat fought?
As his soldiers yelled for pay in March, Abdali hastily departed Delhi. Both to defend the effete Mughal dynasty and India from the attacks that started with Nadir Shah in 1739, the battle of Panipat was fought.
Why did the Marathas lose the third battle of Panipat?
On the battlefield, the Afghan heavy mounted artillery outperformed the Marathas’ light artillery by a wide margin.
Who won the third battle of Panipat?
Afghans won the 3rd Battle of Panipat.
Who died in the 3rd Panipat war?
30,000 killed in battle 10,000 killed while retreating 10,000 missing.
