Third Battle of Panipat 1761, Background, Causes, Results

The Third Battle of Panipat, fought on 14 January 1761 at Panipat, involved the northern expeditionary force of the Maratha Empire clashing with a coalition led by Ahmad Shah Durrani, the King of Afghanistan. This coalition included two Indian Muslim allies: the Rohilla Afghans of the Doab and Shuja-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Oudh.

This is regarded as one of the largest battles of the 18th century and is known for having one of the highest numbers of deaths in a single day. The scale of the conflict and the massive loss of life highlighted the intense struggle for power in India and left a lasting mark on the region's history.

Third Battle of Panipat Background

The 27-year Mughal-Maratha War (1680–1707) resulted in significant territorial losses for the Maratha Empire to Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Under Peshwa Baji Rao's leadership, the Marathas secured dominance over regions such as Gujarat, Malwa, and Rajputana.

• In 1737, Baji Rao won an important battle against the Mughals near Delhi, allowing the Marathas to take over a large area south of Agra.
• His son, Balaji Baji Rao ( commonly known as Nana Saheb ) continued this expansion by invading Punjab in 1758.
• This invasion brought the Marathas into direct conflict with Ahmad Shah Durrani's empire.

Invasion by Ahmed Shah Abdali

Nadir Shah, the Persian emperor, invaded India in 1738-39, capturing Lahore and defeating the Mughal army at Karnal on February 13, 1739. After he died in 1747, Ahmad Shah Abdali (or Ahmad Shah Durrani) stepped into power. He made several incursions into India between 1748 and 1767.

• In 1757, Abdali captured Delhi and left an Afghan caretaker for the Mughal emperor.
• Before leaving, he recognized Alamgir II as the Mughal emperor and appointed Najib-ud-Daula, the Rohilla chief, as Mir Bakshi, making him his representative in Delhi.
• In 1758, the Maratha chief Raghunath Rao expelled Najib-ud-Daula from Delhi and took Punjab. 
• Ahmad Shah Abdali returned in 1759 to seek revenge on the Marathas and defeated them in the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761.
  • His last invasion occurred in 1767.

Expansion of Maratha Empire

From 1712 to 1757, the Marathas broadened their influence and territory across a large part of India. By 1758, they had effectively taken over Delhi, captured Lahore, and removed Timur Shah Durrani, son of Ahmad Shah Abdali.

• At their peak, the Maratha Empire stretched from the Indus River in the north to northern Kerala in the south.
• However, Delhi was still controlled by the Mughals, which worried important Muslim leaders like Shah Waliullah.
• In fear, Muslim leaders requested Ahmad Shah Abdali of Afghanistan for help against the Marathas. 
• Meanwhile, the Marathas sought support from local groups like the Gujarati Muslim Babis, the Rohillas, the Nizam brothers, and Shuja-ud-Dawlah.

Third Battle of Panipat Immediate Causes

While the Marathas were striving to increase their control in the Northwest of India, Durrani attacked the Mughal capital and left with the treasures he sought. As a measure against the Afghan threat, Peshwa Balaji Bajirao sent Raghunathrao. 

• He successfully removed Timur Shah in 1758 and his court from India, bringing the northwest region, including Peshawar, under Maratha control.
• In 1758, the Maratha chief Raghunath Rao drove Najib-ud-Daula out of Delhi and captured Punjab.
• As a result, Punjab was taken from Afghan control, bringing the Marathas into direct conflict with Ahmad Shah Abdali.

Third Battle of Panipat Course

In late 1759, Abdali, along with his Qizilbash and Afghan tribes, reached Lahore and Delhi, where he defeated smaller enemy forces. He was joined by the Muslims of Northern India, the Rohillas, and Shuja-ud-Daula. 

• Ahmad Shah withdrew his army to Anupshahr, on the frontier of Rohilla territory, persuading Nawab of Oudh Shuja-ud-Daula to join his alliance against Marathas.
• Marathas Mobilize Against Afghan Threat: The Marathas, under the leadership of Sadashivrao Bhau, reacted to the Afghans' return by assembling an army and moving towards the north. 
  • The Marathas achieved victory in the battle at Kunjpura against the Afghan garrison.
  • During the next two months of the standoff, frequent clashes and confrontations occurred between units from both sides.
  • After the Marathas were unable to stop Abdali's forces from crossing the Yamuna River, they constructed defenses near Panipat to prevent his return to Afghanistan.
  • Bhau’s Plan: Bhau decided to end the standoff. He planned to weaken the Afghan forces with cannon fire before using his cavalry and then moving his camp defensively toward Delhi for supplies.
  • On January 13, 1761, the Marathas left their camp, moving south toward the Afghan encampment.
  • Consequently, the Third Battle of Panipat took place on January 14, 1761.

Third Battle of Panipat Results

The Third Battle of Panipat lasted several days and involved more than 125,000 troops. Ongoing clashes resulted in losses and gains for both sides. Ahmad Shah Durrani's forces eventually won by breaking through several Maratha flanks. Approximately 60,000 to 70,000 soldiers lost their lives in the battle. The Third Battle of Panipat stopped Maratha's northern advances and weakened their territories for about ten years. 

• Reasons Behind the Maratha Loss: Durrani's forces had a larger and better-equipped army compared to the Marathas, whose lighter artillery struggled against the Afghans' heavy guns.
  • Furthermore, conflicts among Maratha leaders and the lack of support from other local rulers left them alone and far from their capital in Pune.
  • Ahmad Shah Abdali was regarded as one of the best generals, with a strong knowledge of effective methods for winning battles.

Following the Third Battle of Panipat, Ahmad Shah Abdali appointed Shah Alam II as the emperor of Delhi.

Third Battle of Panipat Significance

The Third Battle of Panipat significantly affected the Maratha Empire and influenced the course of 18th-century Indian history.

• It diminished the Marathas' military power and reduced their control over territories.
• This marked a key moment that led to the rise of British dominance in India.
• As a result of this defeat, the Marathas declined, creating opportunities for regional powers such as the Sikhs, Rajputs, and Jats to rise. This shift contributed to a greater political diversity in 18th-century India.
• In 1771, Mahadji Shinde led a Maratha army into northern India to restore Maratha supremacy and punish those who sided with Afghans or resisted Maratha control.
• The battle made a lasting impact on Indian consciousness, becoming a significant theme in various forms of literature, folklore, and more.

Third Battle of Panipat PYQs

What was the immediate reason for Ahmad Shah Abdali to

invade India and fight the third battle of Panipat? [ UPSC CSE 2010 ]

(a) He wanted to avenge the expulsion by Marathas of his viceroy Timur Shah from Lahore.

(b) The frustrated governor of Jalandhar Adina Beg Khan invited him to invade Punjab.

(c) He wanted to punish Mughal administration for nonpayment of the revenues of the Chahar Mahal (Gujarat, Aurangabad, Sialkot and Pasrur).

(d) He wanted to annex the fertile plains of Punjab up to the borders of Delhi in his kingdom.

Ans: ( a )

Third Battle of Panipat FAQs

Q1. Who won The Third Battle of Panipat?

Ans. The Third Battle of Panipat was won by the Afghan forces, led by Ahmad Shah Durrani (also known as Ahmad Shah Abdali).

Q2. Who was the Mughal Emperor during The Third Battle Of Panipat?

Ans. The Mughal Emperor during the Third Battle of Panipat was Shah Alam II. He was on the throne at the time of the battle, which took place on January 14, 1761.

Q3. How many people were killed in the Third Battle of Panipat?

Ans. The extent of the losses on both sides is debated by historians, but it is estimated that between 60,000 and 70,000 troops were killed in the fighting. 

Q4. Between which two powers was the Third Battle of Panipat Fought?

Ans. The Third Battle of Panipat was fought between the Maratha Empire and the Afghan forces, led by Ahmad Shah Durrani (Abdali).

Q5. Who was the Peshwa when the Third Battle of Panipat was fought in 1761?

Ans. The Peshwa during the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761 was Balaji Baji Rao.