The Third Battle of Panipat - Marathas vs. Durranis (1761)

The Third Battle of Panipat was fought on January 14, 1761, between the Maratha Empire and the Durrani Empire. The battle took place in Panipat, which is located in present-day Haryana, India. The battle was a major turning point in Indian history and had far-reaching consequences for both the Maratha and Durrani empires. 

 The Maratha Empire, under the leadership of SadashivraoBhau, had been expanding its territory rapidly in the 18th century. The Marathas had already defeated the Mughal Empire and had established their control over large parts of India. However, their expansion had also brought them into conflict with other regional powers, including the Durrani Empire, which was ruled by Ahmad Shah Durrani.

The Durrani Empire was a powerful force in the region and had been expanding its territory as well. Ahmad Shah Durrani was keen on establishing his control over India and had invaded the country multiple times. In 1757, he defeated the Marathas in the Battle of Kupwara, which marked the beginning of the hostilities between the two empires. 

 The Maratha Empire had a large and well-equipped army, which was led by SadashivraoBhau. The army included around 100,000 soldiers, including a significant number of cavalry. The Marathas had also formed alliances with several regional powers, including the Nawab of Awadh, Shuja-ud-Daula, and the Rohilla chief, Najib-ud-Daula. 

On the other hand, the Durrani Empire had a smaller army, which was led by Ahmad Shah Durrani himself. The army included around 60,000 soldiers, including a large number of Afghan and Baloch soldiers. The Durrani Empire had also formed alliances with several regional powers, including the Mughal Emperor, Shah Alam II, and the Rohilla chief, Hafiz Rahmat Khan. 

The battle began on January 14, 1761, and lasted for several hours. The Marathas launched a massive attack on the Durrani army, which was positioned on a high ground. However, the Durrani army held its ground and repulsed the Maratha attack. The Marathas then launched another attack, which was again repulsed by the Durrani army. 

The battle continued for several hours, with both sides suffering heavy losses. The Marathas suffered from a lack of coordination and their cavalry was unable to break through the Durrani lines. The Durrani army, on the other hand, had a well-coordinated and disciplined force, which was able to hold its ground and repulse the Maratha attacks. 

Towards the end of the battle, the Marathas suffered a major setback when their commander-in-chief, SadashivraoBhau, was killed in action. With their leader gone, the Maratha army lost its morale and began to disintegrate. The Durrani army took advantage of the situation and launched a final attack, which resulted in a decisive victory for the Durrani Empire.

The Third Battle of Panipat was a major turning point in Indian history. The Maratha Empire suffered a devastating defeat and lost a significant portion of its army. The defeat also led to the fragmentation of the Maratha Empire and the decline of its power. 

The Durrani Empire, on the other hand, emerged as a major power in the region. Ahmad Shah Durrani was able to establish his control over large parts of India and consolidate his power. However, the victory was short-lived, as the Durrani Empire was unable to maintain its hold on India