Q. The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761. Why were so many empire-shaking battles fought at Panipat? 2014
Ans: Panipat and its adjacent region, located in present Haryana on the banks of the Yamuna and between the fertile plains of the Ganga and Indus rivers, have witnessed several battles. These battles changed the course of Indian history at different points of time.
The first Battle of Panipat in 1526 was between Babur and Ibrahim Lodi. The result of the battle laid the foundation of the Mughal Empire by ending the rule of the Delhi Sultanate.
The Second Battle of Panipat in 1556 was between Akbar and Hemu; it decided in favour of the continuation of the Mughal rule.
The Third Battle of Panipat in 1761 between the Marathas and Ahmad Shah Abdali put an end to the Maratha ambition of ruling over India.
Why Panipat was a favourite battle field:
- Panipat had a strategic location. One of the parties of the war generally came from the north/northwest through the Khyber Pass to get hold over Delhi, the political capital of northern India.
- To move a military through rough terrains—deserts of Rajasthan or the other northern areas infested with dense forests—was very risky and difficult. On the other hand, the rulers at Delhi considered Panipat as a confrontable strategic ground and hence they preferred to take the fight there.
- Its proximity to Delhi made it easier for the Indian rulers to transport weapons, military and food supplies etc., to the battleground, and still keep the capital insulated from the conflict at hand.
- Panipat’s surrounding region has a flat ground which was suitable for cavalry movement—the main mode of warfare at the time.
- After the construction of the Grand Trunk Road by Sher Shah Suri (1540-45), Panipat was on this route. It became easier for conquerors to find their way there.
- The duration of monsoon rainfall in the region is short in comparison to other areas making it easier to fight.
- The artisans/smiths of these regions were experts in making warfare-related materials and hence it became easier for forces of both parties to replenish their war materials.
> The battle was not fought for the city of Panipat but because this region was a gate to Delhi.
> For Delhi’s ruler, strategically it was best to stop the enemy at the gate i.e in this region having Panipat, Karnal,
Kurukshetra and Thanesar.
> Vast fields are suitable for large armies.
> Suitable weather for the long battle.
> The presence of many warrior classes made military recruitment easier.
> Agriculturally productive & close to Delhi therefore easy to have supplies for the army.
For instance:-
a) Mahmud of Ghazni fought in Thanesar in 1014 and set up an empire from Iran to Pakistan by 1030
b) Ghori fought in Thanesar in 1191.
c) The first Battle of Panipat, in 1526 ended Delhi’s sultanate
d) The second Battle of Panipat, in 1556 ended the rule of Hemu.
e) The battle of Karnal, in 1739 shook the Mughals.
f) Third Battle of Panipat, 1761 prevented Marathas from establishing an all-Indian empire.