Origin of the Third Battle of Panipat War
In 1761, two rival factions were battling for control of India – the Afghan Durrani Empire, led by Ahmad Shah Abdali, and the Maratha Empire, ruled by Sadashivrao Bhau. Abdali had seized the Punjab region and wanted to expand his empire further into India. Meanwhile, the Maratha Empire had grown into a prominent Hindu nationalist power under the Peshwa dynasty. However, the Marathas had suffered losses recently against the Durranis and wanted to regain their prestige.
Third Battle of Panipat (January 14, 1761)
The Third Battle of Panipat in 1761 represented a watershed moment for India. By dispatching a vast army north to dismiss Afghan invaders, the Hindu Maratha Empire sought to reassert its dominion that had expelled Mughal Muslim control throughout most of India just decades prior. However, faced with Ahmad Shah Abdali’s forces just miles outside Delhi, the Marathas suffered a heavy defeat, which further collapsed their centralized authority and left a power vacuum in the Capital of Delhi.
This article will delve into the causes of this historic battle, key events, and lasting impacts of the Third Battle of Panipat War.
Third Battle of Panipat