Today is the 262nd anniversary of the great battle of Panipat.
In this battle, which possibly changed Indian history, around 100,000 soldiers participated, and in the end, one of the finest armies of Asia, perished.
Lets look at some of the sites related to the battle.
🧵
In this battle, which possibly changed Indian history, around 100,000 soldiers participated, and in the end, one of the finest armies of Asia, perished.
Lets look at some of the sites related to the battle.
🧵
Barari Ghat
The story of the battle, starts a year before... On 10 Jan 1760, a Maratha army led by Dattaji Scindia was vanquished by Afghans.
The death of Dattaji, who Peshwa called "God's Own Soldier', demanded a retribution, for which Peshwa sent an army to deal with Afghans.
The story of the battle, starts a year before... On 10 Jan 1760, a Maratha army led by Dattaji Scindia was vanquished by Afghans.
The death of Dattaji, who Peshwa called "God's Own Soldier', demanded a retribution, for which Peshwa sent an army to deal with Afghans.
Chambal River
Sadashiv Rao Bhau, with an army of 100,000 soldiers, plus double the non-combatants, started from Pune on 12 March 1760, and crossed the Chambal river in order to reach the north.
After crossing the Chambal, Bhau proceeded towards Agra and thence to Delhi.
Sadashiv Rao Bhau, with an army of 100,000 soldiers, plus double the non-combatants, started from Pune on 12 March 1760, and crossed the Chambal river in order to reach the north.
After crossing the Chambal, Bhau proceeded towards Agra and thence to Delhi.
Delhi
Bhau reached Delhi on 1 August 1760.
Abdali was still on the far side of river. Bhau had issues relating to money, but importantly, food.
It was getting impossible to feed around 200,000 people, so Bhau decided on attacking Kunjpura, which had lots of supplies and money.
Bhau reached Delhi on 1 August 1760.
Abdali was still on the far side of river. Bhau had issues relating to money, but importantly, food.
It was getting impossible to feed around 200,000 people, so Bhau decided on attacking Kunjpura, which had lots of supplies and money.
Kunjpura is a small town situated 130 km North of Delhi.
Founded in 1729, the fort had enormous supplies & cash of Abdali's army.
Bhau attacked this fort on 17 Oct 1760 & found great amount grain & money.
Presently, the fort is in a very bad state.
Founded in 1729, the fort had enormous supplies & cash of Abdali's army.
Bhau attacked this fort on 17 Oct 1760 & found great amount grain & money.
Presently, the fort is in a very bad state.
Gauripur
Gauripur is located in Baghpat district.
Abdali, who was nearby couldn't cross the Yamuna, as it was flooded.
It was at Gauripur, that Abdali found a ford, which enabled him to cross the Yamuna and cut-off the Marathas.
Pic of flooded Yamuna near Baghpat
Gauripur is located in Baghpat district.
Abdali, who was nearby couldn't cross the Yamuna, as it was flooded.
It was at Gauripur, that Abdali found a ford, which enabled him to cross the Yamuna and cut-off the Marathas.
Pic of flooded Yamuna near Baghpat
Samalkha
Samalkha is located 19 kms of Panipat.
After crossing the Yamuna, the vanguard of Abdali and Marathas clashed at Samalkha.
The Afghans, lost a thousand men, but drove off the Marathas, who entrenched themselves around the old Shah canal, near Panipat.
Samalkha is located 19 kms of Panipat.
After crossing the Yamuna, the vanguard of Abdali and Marathas clashed at Samalkha.
The Afghans, lost a thousand men, but drove off the Marathas, who entrenched themselves around the old Shah canal, near Panipat.
Gharaunda
Bhau, after entrenching his army and non-combatants, placed his 700 elephants at Gharaunda.
Gharaunda is about 20 kms from Karnal.
The placing of elephants here, would mean that water was available in plenty at this place, and a Water Park exists at Gharaunda.
Bhau, after entrenching his army and non-combatants, placed his 700 elephants at Gharaunda.
Gharaunda is about 20 kms from Karnal.
The placing of elephants here, would mean that water was available in plenty at this place, and a Water Park exists at Gharaunda.
Let's look at battlefield..
Nimbri is a small village located 4 kms from Panipat.
At Nimbri, Maratha left was stationed.
Here 8,000 Gardis under Ibrahim Khan, and 4000 cavalry under Damaji Gaikwad and Vithal Vinchurkar were placed, along with heavy cannons chained together.
Nimbri is a small village located 4 kms from Panipat.
At Nimbri, Maratha left was stationed.
Here 8,000 Gardis under Ibrahim Khan, and 4000 cavalry under Damaji Gaikwad and Vithal Vinchurkar were placed, along with heavy cannons chained together.
Chajpur Khurd
Chajpur is also a small village in Panipat, where Abdali right facing Ibrahim Khan was placed.
Opposing Ibrahim Khan, were Shah Pasand Khan, Barkhurdar Khan, Dunde Khan, etc with at least 20,000 men.
Distance between Nimbdi & Chajpur is around 3 kms.
Chajpur is also a small village in Panipat, where Abdali right facing Ibrahim Khan was placed.
Opposing Ibrahim Khan, were Shah Pasand Khan, Barkhurdar Khan, Dunde Khan, etc with at least 20,000 men.
Distance between Nimbdi & Chajpur is around 3 kms.
Ugra Kheri
The village of Ugra Kheri is where the Maratha center was placed.
Here, Bhau along & Vishwas Rao had placed the famous Huzurat cavalry, 13,500 strong.
On the right were placed contingents of Scindia, Holkar, Yashwantrao Pawar, Antaji Mankeshwar, Satvoji Yadav, etc.
The village of Ugra Kheri is where the Maratha center was placed.
Here, Bhau along & Vishwas Rao had placed the famous Huzurat cavalry, 13,500 strong.
On the right were placed contingents of Scindia, Holkar, Yashwantrao Pawar, Antaji Mankeshwar, Satvoji Yadav, etc.
The Abdali center opposing Bhau was place between villages named Risalu and Ujah.
Shah Wali Khan was stationed here with 15,000 troops, 2000 Camel swivels and 1,000 Kabuli infantry.
The distance between villages of Risalu & Ujah, and Ugra Kheri is 3 kms.
Shah Wali Khan was stationed here with 15,000 troops, 2000 Camel swivels and 1,000 Kabuli infantry.
The distance between villages of Risalu & Ujah, and Ugra Kheri is 3 kms.
Afghan left, opposing Scindia and Holkar was stationed between villages, Risalu and Siwah.
Here, Najib Khan with 20,000 troops were stationed, along with 5000 Persian cavalry.
The distance btwn Maratha right and Afghan left was about 5 kms.
Abdali's tent was at Pasina Khurd.
Here, Najib Khan with 20,000 troops were stationed, along with 5000 Persian cavalry.
The distance btwn Maratha right and Afghan left was about 5 kms.
Abdali's tent was at Pasina Khurd.
Most of the fighting took place between Nimbdi and Chajpur.
In the center, between Ugra Khedi & Ujah, fell Bhau, Vishwas Rao and most of Huzurat cavalry, along with many Afghan soldiers.
Because of the distance between Maratha right & Afghan left, fighting started only later.
In the center, between Ugra Khedi & Ujah, fell Bhau, Vishwas Rao and most of Huzurat cavalry, along with many Afghan soldiers.
Because of the distance between Maratha right & Afghan left, fighting started only later.
In conclusion, east of the Mansa Devi temple at Panipat, is a temple dedicated to Shiva.
It was built by Mangalrao Ragunath in 1765.
The temple, built just 4 years after battle, suggests that conditions had stabilized for a Maratha to come here in peace & build a temple.
End
It was built by Mangalrao Ragunath in 1765.
The temple, built just 4 years after battle, suggests that conditions had stabilized for a Maratha to come here in peace & build a temple.
End
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