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Background of the Third Battle of Panipat:
- Mughal-Maratha War (1680–1707): The Marathas lost significant territories to Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
- Maratha Expansion: Under Peshwa Baji Rao, they gained control over Gujarat, Malwa, and Rajputana.
- Victory Near Delhi (1737): Baji Rao defeated the Mughals, securing lands south of Agra.
- Punjab Invasion (1758): Raghunath Rao removed Timur Shah (Abdali’s son) and took control of Peshawar. The Marathas drove out Najib-ud-Daula and seized Punjab, directly challenging Abdali.
- Abdali’s Return: He launched a counterattack and defeated the Marathas in the Third Battle of Panipat (1761).
Outcomes of the Battle:
- Maratha Defeat: Ahmad Shah Abdali’s forces broke through Maratha flanks and secured victory.
- Impact on Marathas: Their northern expansion stopped, and their power weakened for about a decade.
- Following the Third Battle of Panipat, Ahmad Shah Abdali appointed Shah Alam II as the emperor of Delhi.
Significance of the Third Battle of Panipat:
- Weakened Maratha Power: The defeat diminished their military strength and reduced territorial control.
- Rise of British Influence: The battle paved the way for British dominance in India.
- Regional Shifts: The decline of the Marathas allowed Sikhs, Rajputs, and Jats to gain power, increasing political diversity.
- Maratha Revival (1771): Mahadji Shinde led a campaign to reclaim lost territories and punish those who opposed the Marathas.
- Cultural Impact: The battle became a significant theme in Indian literature, folklore, and historical narratives.
Why in News?
- Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis stated that the Third Battle of Panipat (1761) should be remembered as a symbol of Maratha courage rather than just a defeat
