Who won the Third Battle of Panipat?
Ultimately, the Third Battle of Panipat resulted in a decisive victory for the Durrani Empire. The Maratha Confederacy suffered heavy losses, including many prominent leaders and commanders. Sadashivrao Bhau, the commander of the Maratha forces, was killed in the battle. The defeat at Panipat marked the end of Maratha expansion in northern India and strengthened Durrani influence in the region.
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.