INTRODUCTION
In the Third Battle of Panipat of 1761 , Marathas fought on behalf of Central Mughal ruler against Ahmed Shah Abdali. The 3rd Battle of Panipat was fought in the year 1761 . In this Battle , Marathas and Central Mughal ruler fought against Ahmed Shah Abdali . Ahmed Shah Abdali was supported by Nawab of Awadh and the Nawab of Rohillakhand. So , there were 5 players , 2 on one side and 3 on other side .
CAUSES OF THIRD BATTLE OF PANIPAT OF 1761
The 3rd battle of Panipat was an outcome of Ahmed Shah Abdali’s desire to plunder northern plains . Abdali was keen to plunder northern plains and extract revenue to boost the financial condition of his Afghan Empire . During the same period Marathas were on the verge of rise . So , Abdalis’ desire came in conflict with the expanding Maratha influence in the region of northern plains .
So, these were the causes of 3rd battle of Panipat . Here arises a question – Why Nawab of Awadh and Rohillakhand sided with Ahmed shah Abdali ? . As we have discussed in the previous article that Marathas used to plunder various territories . So , Marthas had plundered the territories of Awadh and Rohillakhand also. Hence , tired of frequent Maratha plunder , Awadh and Rohillakhand decided to side with Ahmed Shah Abdali . Both , Awadh and Rohillakhand were determined to permanently adress the Maratha threat .
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CONSEQUENCES OF THIRD BATTLE OF PANIPAT
The Maratha forces suffered a major military setback in the Battle . More than 50,000 troops and half of the top military generals of Marathas were killed in the 3rd Battle of Panipat . The humiliating defeat in the 3rd Battle of Panipat busted the myth of Maratha invincibility ( that Marathas can not be defeated ) . The defeat gave a major blow to the Maratha empire and exposed its’ military weaknesses .
REASONS BEHIND THE DEFEAT OF MARATHAS
- Marathas had expertise in GORILLA WARFARE strategy . Under this strategy , Marathas used to have a surprise attack on their opponent . After the surprise attack , they used to defeat the opponent and then hide in the Jungles / Forests .
- This strategy allows even a smaller army to deal with the bigger army . But the limitation of this strategy is , it requires a suitable geography .
- While the Maratha expertise was in GORILLA WARFARE , the topography of the plains of Panipat was unsafe for such a strategy .
- Afghans were able military warriors . They had also managed to cobble up an effective coalition against Marathas , including Awadh and Rohillakhand .
- The coalition granted Ahmed Shah Abdali a numerical superiority over Marathas .
- Marathas also faced logistical nightmare ( lack of logistical support ) . Panipat was far away from the region of Marathas . They had to rely to the troops , arms and ammunitions drawn from the far away Deccan region .
- On the other hand , Afghan forces got logistical support in terms of food , arms etc.. from Awadh and Rohillakhand .
All the above factors played a major role in the defeat of Marathas in the 3rd Battle of Panipat of 1761 .
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SIGNIFICANCE OF THIRD BATTLE OF PANIPAT
With the third Battle of Panipat , decline of Maratha Empire began . The third Battle of Panipat busted the myth of Maratha invincibility . It also became clear that Marathas were unlikely to form the next Pan – Indian Empire.