Third Battle of Panipat
1761 · Panipat (in present-day Haryana, India) · World · Modern
Besieged for a long time and with supplies cut off, the Maratha army came out of its camp for a decisive battle; after holding the upper hand for a while, it was routed by an Afghan counterattack, and Sadashivrao Bhau and the Peshwa's son Vishwasrao were killed in battle.
Belligerents
Durrani Empire and allies
- Commanders
- Ahmad Shah Durrani, Shuja-ud-Daula (Awadh), Najib-ud-Daula (Rohilla)
- Strength
- About 40,000–60,000 (est.)
Maratha Confederacy
- Commanders
- Sadashivrao Bhau, Vishwasrao, Ibrahim Khan Gardi
- Strength
- About 45,000–60,000 combat troops, plus large numbers of camp followers
Background
After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the Maratha Confederacy expanded as far as Punjab and came into conflict with the Afghan Durrani Empire, which had repeatedly invaded India; the two sides faced each other at Panipat for several months.
Course of the battle
- Standoff and blockadeThe two armies faced each other at Panipat for more than two months, and the Afghan army cut the Maratha supply lines.
- Marathas attackOn January 14, 1761, the starving Maratha army came out of its camp to attack, and its artillery at first inflicted heavy damage on the Afghan left wing.
- Afghan counterattackAhmad Shah committed his reserves, Vishwasrao was shot dead, and the Maratha line collapsed.
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1761 |
|---|---|
| Place | Panipat (present-day Haryana, India) |
| Result | Besieged for a long time and with supplies cut off, the Maratha army came out of its camp for a decisive battle; after holding the upper hand for a while, it was routed by an Afghan counterattack, and Sadashivrao Bhau and the Peshwa's son Vishwasrao were killed in battle. |
| Winner | Durrani Empire and allies |
| Casualties | Combined deaths on both sides numbered in the tens of thousands (estimated), with the Maratha side and its camp followers suffering especially heavy losses. |
| Territorial change | Maratha expansion into northern India suffered a temporary setback; the Durrani army soon withdrew to Afghanistan, leaving a power vacuum in northern India. |
Impact
One of the largest battles of the 18th century, it weakened the Marathas, then the only native power capable of unifying India, and indirectly paved the way for the expansion of the British East India Company.
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