Q.58 The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761. Why were so many empire- shaking battles fought at Panipat? GS-I: HISTORY(UPSC CSE 2014)(150 words/10 marks)

Answer:

INTRODUCTION:

The Third Battle of Panipat (14^th January 1761) was fought in the backdrop of the disintegrated Mughal Empire. Even though, the Marathas were defeated by Ahmad Shah Abdali but both sides suffered heavy losses in terms of men and material. It also contributed to the decline of the Maratha empire and the rise of the English East India Company. Earlier, two other major battles were also fought at Panipat. All these battles proved to be the turning points in the history of India.

BODY:

• • The First Battle of Panipat was fought on 21^st April 1526 between Ibrahim Lodhi and Babur’s forces defeated much larger Afghan army having approximately one lakh soldiers. It not only led to the end of the Lodi rule but also the foundation of the Mughal dynasty.
  • The Second Battle of Panipat was fought on 5^th November 1556 between the forces of Akbar and Hem Chandra This battle marked the end of Hemu’s dominance in north India as well as the end of Sur dynasty. It also paved way for the emergence of Mughal empire.
  • The Third Battle of Panipat was fought in 1761 between the Afghan invader Ahmad Shah Abdali and the Marathas led by Sadashiv Rao Bhau, the nephew of Peshwa Bajirao-I. It resulted in the worst defeat of Marathas in their history creating a power vacuum allowing the British conquest of India.

The factors that influenced the choice of Panipat as the location for many empire-shaking battles were as follows:

• • Panipat is located in Haryana on the banks of river Yamuna. The city/district has a Strategic location in the northern plains on the Grand Trunk Road, an ancient trade route that connects the Indian subcontinent with Central Asia. This road has been a primary route for not only migrations and trade but also for invasions. The towns like Panipat and Karnal located on this route played a crucial role in the movement of goods, people, and armies.
  • Panipat is located between the fertile Indus and Ganges plains. It was a tempting prize for empires seeking to capture the wealthy northern Indian heartland. Control over Panipat meant easy access to rich resources through the corridors connecting India’s northern breadbasket regions. Thus, control over Panipat was synonymous with dominance over vast territories and lucrative trade networks.

• • Panipat being very close to Delhi, acted as a gateway to Delhi, the capital and seat of numerous Indian kingdoms and Therefore, supremacy over the Delhi region required control over Panipat. It acted as a natural location for defending the capital due to quick military deployments and supply lines from Delhi to Panipat.
  • The topography of Panipat made it an ideal place for large-scale battles as it had wide and open area which allowed the armies to fight. The camps could be established conveniently, cavalry could move easily, and the artillery could also be used effectively in an open area. This was impossible in hilly terrain or desert. Thus, Panipat became a preferred battleground for both the invader and the defender.
  • Panipat being rich in agriculture and water resources ensured easy availability of food, water and other supplies for the troops. Thus, it became a practical choice for some very important battles in the history of India.
  • The duration of monsoon is also relatively short making it a preferred ground for war.

CONCLUSION:

Each of the three battles fought at Panipat had a unique purpose and importance, and these conflicts shaped the political landscape of the country. All the above mentioned factors collectively made Panipat an ideal site for many prominent battles in the history of India. These battles defined the balance of power in the region affecting the rise and fall of various empires.