Why did the Marathas Lose the Third Battle of Panipat

The Third Battle of Panipat was was a revolutionary event in the history of India. It was fought on 14^th January A.D. 1761 between Ahmad Shah Abdali, the Afghan ruler and Sadashiv Rao, the Maratha chief.

There were the following reasons for the defeat of the Marathas in spite of their bravery and heroism :

1. The Maratha General did not give any importance to Sadashiv Rao. His autocratic behavior annoyed the Marathas. It is said that Bhao was obstinate, arrogant, stern and so much self-confident that his influence proved to have an adverse effect on the Panipat expedition. His sternness forced the people to obey him out of fear and not due to any regard for him. As he was the commander of the Maratha force, he was held responsible for the defeat in one or the other way. Bhau failed to maintain friendly relations with the Sikhs who were the staunch enemies of Ahmad Shah Abdali. Secondly, instead of commanding the battle, he fought in the battlefield like a hero. Thirdly, he did not keep a reserve force nor could he make proper use of his cavalry and artillery. Moreover, instead of using war tactics he jumped into the war without any solid plan.

2. Historians have come up with three serious allegations against Hilkar for the defeat in the third Battle of Panipat :

(i) He did not check his friend Najib for his anti-Maratha activities.

(ii) He did not help Bhao in the battlefield whole-heartedly.

(iii) He ran away from the battlefield with the help of Najib and left Jankoji unsafe.

3. A prominent historian has accused Govind Pant Bundela of this defeat and has elicited the following reasons :

(i) He could not win the sympathy of Shujauddaula.

(ii) He did not make proper arrangements for transportation in Doab for Bhau.

(iii) Bhau was not paid the required money by Govind Pant Bunela.

(iv) He did not attack the province of Shuja for diversion of attention.

(v) He did not interfere with the supply lines of Abdali at Boab.

Some historians feel that the charges levied against Govind Pant hold no significance for all these economic and military affairs were beyond his power and capacity.

4. In fact the chief reason of the defeat of the Marathas cannot be ascribed to a single individual but to circumstances of that time and the defective administrative system. The Marathas had so far not developed any solid financial system. They only had one principle that it was the duty of the nobles to invade the North and to collect as much booty as they could. Thus, instead of consolidating their own position the Marathas resorted to plundering which proved fatal for their own existence and they were defeated in the battle of Panipat for want of resources and Mutual love and respect.

5. The Maratha commanders had no experience of northern India. Moreover, they were the victims of the shortage of financial resources. They were also not getting proper food supply while fighting hundreds of miles away from their own land.

6. The Rajputs, the Jats etc., all were annoyed with the stern behavior of the Marathas, hence they did not help them at the time of their war against the Afghans.

7. The Afghans were well disciplined and outnumbered the Marathas. Thus, their artillery was also better and warfare was also superior to that of their enemy. Hence, the Marathas failed to stand victorious against them.

8. Above all, Ahmad Shah Abdali was a better commander. He used better war tactics and forced the Marathas to raise their head against him. Sardesai and Shezwalkar have praised the qualities of Abdali as a capable commander.

9. Ahmad Shah Abdali concluded friendly pacts with the rulers of Rohilkhand and Avadh. They instigated the Muslim s of northern India and sought their help.

10. The Marathas advanced towards northern India without consolidating their position in the south. It harmed them.

11. AS the Peshwa was not present in northern India, the Marathas nobles could not work unitedly. The absence of the peshwas proved fatal for the Marathas and their defeat became inevitable.

All these reasons made up for the defeat of the Marathas in the Third Battle of Panipat.

Milan Tomic

Hi. I’m Designer of Blog Magic. I’m CEO/Founder of ThemeXpose. I’m Creative Art Director, Web Designer, UI/UX Designer, Interaction Designer, Industrial Designer, Web Developer, Business Enthusiast, StartUp Enthusiast, Speaker, Writer and Photographer. Inspired to make things looks better.