Third Battle of Panipat
Panipat, Haryana, India, about 97 km north of Delhi
What happened
The Durrani army of Ahmad Shah Durrani (Abdali), ruler of Afghanistan, fought the Maratha army led by Sadashivrao Bhau. The Maratha Empire had expanded into northern India, taking Delhi and Punjab. Some Mughal nobles and other rulers asked Ahmad Shah Durrani to stop them, and he brought his army into India. After months of shortages and skirmishes, the Marathas attacked on 14 January 1761, but the Afghan army broke their lines and Sadashivrao Bhau fell.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It halted the Maratha advance into northern India for about ten years. It also further weakened the Mughal Empire.
What came next
Ahmad Shah Durrani left India in March 1761. The Marathas returned to the north in 1771 under Mahadji Shinde.
Did you know?
Panipat saw three great battles that changed Indian history, in 1526, 1556 and 1761.
Timeline
- 1758The Marathas take Lahore.
- 14 January 1761The Durrani army wins at Panipat.
- March 1761Ahmad Shah Durrani leaves India.
- 1771Mahadji Shinde leads the Marathas back north.