Third Battle of Panipat facts for kids

The Third Battle of Panipat was a very important battle in Indian history. It happened on January 14, 1761. The battle was fought between the Afghan army, led by Ahmad Shah Durrani, and the Maratha Empire. Ahmad Shah Durrani also had help from local groups like the Rohillas and other Pathans, as well as allies from Oudh.

The Afghan forces and their allies won the battle. They defeated the Marathas. This battle changed a lot in India at that time.

Who Fought in the Battle?

The main groups fighting were the Marathas and the Afghans. The Maratha Empire was a powerful group in India. They controlled a large area. Their army was led by Sadashivrao Bhau.

The Afghan army was led by Ahmad Shah Durrani. He was a strong ruler from Afghanistan. He also had many allies in India. These allies helped him fight the Marathas.

Why Did They Fight?

Both the Marathas and the Afghans wanted to control parts of India. The Marathas were expanding their empire. They wanted to rule more areas in northern India.

Ahmad Shah Durrani also wanted to keep his power in the region. He saw the Marathas as a threat. This led to a big conflict between them.

The Battle Begins

The battle started early in the morning on January 14, 1761. The Maratha soldiers had very little food. They had eaten almost everything they had.

The Afghan forces began by firing their cannons. But these first shots were not very effective. They landed in the middle of the battlefield.

Ahmad Shah Durrani used clever tactics. He sent about 15,000 of his Baluch soldiers across the Yamuna River. Their job was to stop the Marathas from getting supplies.

Clever Battle Plans

Ahmad Shah Durrani did not fully trust all his allies. So, he used a "hit and run" strategy at first. He waited for his 15,000 Baluch troops to cross the river.

The Marathas had dug a long trench. It was three kilometers long and 400 meters wide. Ahmad Shah Durrani also built a clever defense. He set up fake tents. Behind these tents, he had a long curtain.

Behind the curtain, he dug canals. He used the mud from these canals to build a five-foot-high road. This road was four kilometers long. Afghan riflemen could hide behind it. They could fire safely at the Maratha soldiers.

He also placed cannons on camels. These cannons could fire over his own troops. This allowed them to shoot at the Marathas as they advanced.

The Final Attack

Ahmad Shah Durrani tried to trick the Marathas into attacking. The Marathas fell for his trap. The Afghan riflemen and cannons fired heavily. Many Maratha soldiers fell.

In the final part of the battle, the Afghan army surrounded the Marathas. They attacked from three sides. At this point, a Maratha leader named Malhar Rao Holkar left the battlefield. He realized the battle was lost.

The Marathas were losing ground fast. Their chief, Sadashivrao Bhau, was left surrounded by his bodyguards. About 15,000 Maratha soldiers managed to escape. They used the cover of their French-made cannons.

Who Was in Charge?

Some historians wonder if the outcome would have been different. They thought if Malhar Rao Holkar or Raghunath Rao had led the Maratha army, things might have changed. These leaders knew a lot about northern India. They had fought guerrilla warfare there before.

However, Sadashivrao Bhau was the younger brother of the Peshwa. The Peshwa was the Maratha prime minister. The Peshwa's son, Vishwasrao, also fought in this battle. The Peshwa chose Sadashivrao Bhau to lead. This was to protect Vishwasrao and Sadashivrao Bhau.

After the Battle

The Third Battle of Panipat was a big defeat for the Maratha Empire. It weakened their power in northern India. However, the Marathas did recover later. Within ten years, leaders like Mahadaji Shinde helped restore their power.

Images for kids

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  Extent of the Maratha Empire, 1760

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  Sadashivrao Bhau

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  Portrait of Ahmad Shah Durrani

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  Mahadaji Shinde helped the Marathas recover after the war.

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  Map of India in 1765, showing different states.

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  A memorial for "The Great Peshwa Madhavrao" in Pune. He helped restore the Maratha Empire.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de Panipat (1761) para niños