THIRD BATTLE OF PANIPAT

Afghani was helped by three different areas in India; first was Baloch Khanate, the second was Oudh state, third was Pashtun Rohillas. It created major elements to declining the emperors of the Mughal dynasty. In the third war of Panipat, Sadashiv Rao Bhau was the main leader of Maratha forces after Peshwa and Chhatrapati Shivaji.

 The war pitted the cavalry and artillery of the Martha armies against the Jezail and Zamburak of the Afghan army. This war is observed as the eventful and biggest fight in that time. This war included 120000 troops with gains and losses on Afghan and Maratha sides. Afghani army ultimately won after killing many Maratha peoples while destroying several flanks. 

Third Battle of Panipat 

The power of Maratha grew in the 18th century after successfully winning the war against the Mughal empires. They aimed to establish their kingdom in many regions of India; the domain of Martha kings was to stretch Indus to the southern part of India. The Maratha was successful in creating their kingdom in Delhi. ‘Ahmed Shah Abdali’ had generated their kingdom in Afghanistan in the year 1747 and preceded his control towards Lahore to Punjab.

The thrice war of Panipat occurred in Haryana and the forces of Afghan were hugely supported by ‘Nawab of Awadh’ and Rohilla Afghans. Other hand, Maratha kings are stopped by getting support from Rajputs, Sikhs and Jats. In this war, numbers of Marathas were killed with Vishwas Rao and Sadashiv Rao by the Durrani armies.

 Peshwa died due to the defeat by Afghani forces and heavy casualties. The head of the Afghani force Durrani did not visit India again and returned to Afghanistan. He transferred his power to Robert Clive for ruling over the country and at least India becoming a country ruled by the ‘East India Company’.

Significance of the third battle of Panipat 

At the beginning of 1752, Maratha kings created their power over the Mughal dynasty, after that they were focused to seize Punjab. However, Durrani has already established his power in Punjab and he wants to make India wealthy as per his vision. After the representative of the Durrani army was expelled by the Marathas, the Afghani army targeted Delhi for making their capital. The major significance of the third battle of Panipat was becoming a disaster for the Marathas.

 This war spelt out the possibility of replacing the Mughal dynasty from India. This war allows the British government to expand their domain in India because Afghani is not attentive to political expansion. This battle was very significant in World History because this war was successful in destroying the ambitions of the Mughals and also the Marathas. After defecating, several Marathas troops and flanks by the Durrani army emerged victoriously. 

Maratha and Afghan army 

After the death of Aurangzeb, the Mughal dynasty lost their power and at this time Marathas were able to push for capturing many areas in India. At that period Maratha became a powerful force across the country and they frequently occupied Delhi and pushed to occupy Lahore after defending the son of Durrani. The joint army of Durrani and allies make them more powerful compared to the Marathas.

 ‘Shuja-ud- daulah’ was providing financial help towards the Afghani army and it is the reason for a long stay in Lahore and Punjab. The capital of the Maratha kingdom was Pune, however, the war ground Panipat was miles away from their capital, which made them weaker for long battles. Every day the ground of the battle faces heavy casualties from both sides. The third battle of Panipat makes several reasons for starting the British Raj in India.

Cause of the third battle of Panipat 

There are several causes for the third war between Afghani and Marathas that are given below:

Revolution in the Mughal dynasty: 

After being defeated by the Nadir Shah, the dynasty of Mughal kings was shaken. Each Sardars were engaged with Mughal kings and they freed their provinces from the king. This made the reason for decreasing the unity among the sardars and Durrani was more courageous.

High power of Marathas:

Peshwa Rao and his army are successful to create their terror in Nizams and Karnataka, after that they were targeted to capture Punjab and hoisted their flag in Punjab. The son of Durrani was defeated by Raghunath Rao and created a successful attempt to capture Punjab. It makes the reason for the war and transfers the target to catch the power of Delhi.

Internal dispute:

Ruhela Sardar was defeated by the Vajeet Safdarjung with help of Maratha kings. This reason Ruhela became an enemy of Marathas and Mughals and for this reason; the Marthas wanted to fight with Rajputs and Avadh. Interrupting the succession of Madhav Singh and Iswar Singh, Marathas became an enemy of Holkar and Scindia. This internal dispute encouraged and gave power to Abdali for a future attack on Marathas.

The religion of Marathas:

Marathas are purely attached to their religion and it helps them to plan for the Hindu empire across India. However, the Rajputs and Muslim kings are not supported by the Marathas for these establishments in India.

Request to Durrani:

Indian History shows that internal dispute creates divisions in the same country. Babur was invited by Daulat khan and Mohammad Ghori was invited by Jai Chand for this internal dispute. The Rajputs and Ruhels are invited by Abdali to attack India.

Conclusion 

Marathas were successful in declining the power of Mughals and purely established their domain at that time. The third battle of Panipat occurred in 1761 and ended the power of Marathas for expanding their domain in India. This battle enhanced the power of the British government and helped to become the supreme ruler of India. This battle changed the face of cultural, political and economic life in India. After being defended by Afghani Marathas lost its sovereignty permanently and lost the chance to re-establish their kingdom in Panipat.