Get complete information on the War History of Maratha Peshwas (Till 1761)

War History of Maratha Peshwas (Till 1761)

Ahmed Shah Abdali attacked on India with 60 thousand soldiers. Meanwhile Marathas, made their control over Delhi and Punjab. At this, Afghan Sardars became afraid and they made also some negotiations. But Marathas general Sadashiv Rao Bhau considered it insult to make negotiations. Surajmal, the Jat king of Bharatpur advised Bhau to fight a Gorilla war.

The proudly Sahu did not do according to him and led the army in western coast. There was a gun-man name Ibrahim Gardi for his help. The brave people like Yashvantrao were for his help. On the other hand, Ahmed Shah Abdali had the help of Ruhel, Rajput, Avadh and Nizam.

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Both armies met at the field of Panipat. Bhau was surrounded by all the sides and all ways to send food to Maratha army were closed. Finally Bhau attacked on army of Abdali. Vishwasrao, the eldest son of Peshwa was killed in the battle. After his death, Bhau alone entered in the army of enemy was killed. Ahmed Shah Abdali got victory. A great number of brave men were killed. In the third battle of Panipat, Marathas had a big loss. Peshwa was written about this, “Two invaluable pears are

1. War System of Marathas:

Shivaji had got victory over Mughals by Gorilla war system. But Peshwa did not follow this system even at the request of Surajmal Jatwa Sardar. But he directed the army in western manner Maratha soldiers were not killed in fighting with this system. So they could not fight well in the battle-field. So they were defeated.

2. Internal Dispute:

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After the death of Sahu, internal dispute started among Marathas. Tarabai opposed Peshwa Kolhapur and Sitara had differences from Chhatrapatis. Holkar and Scindia had differences on Rajput Policy. The policies of Peshwa and representative were also different the conclusion is that Maratha Sardar could not live together in a union and so they were defeated.

3. Mixed Army:

There were not soldiers of one caste in Maratha Army. There was need of soldiers in the army. So Maratha soldiers had lack of nationality.

4. Errors of Marathas Sardars:

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In the battle-field, this army could not success to face the enemy. There was need of enough soldiers in the army. Bhau also did not delay in doing war. He attacked when his army became restless due to hunger. The hungry soldiers had 1 no strength.

Moreover, at the death of Vishwasrao Bhau became like mad and jumped down form elephant and began to fight like a common soldier riding on a horse, seeing the empty elephant many Maratha Sardars became disappointed and the army of Ahmed Shah Abdali was encouraged.

5. Expedition of Peshwa:

All states of North India were unhappy with Peshwa and Maratha. It was necessary to turn other powers in favour on the basis of policy skill. But Peshwa did not want to make negotiations with these states due to pride. So they joined Ahmed Shah Abdali and Marathas were defeated.

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6. Organisation of Muslims:

All Muslims wanted to destroy an increasing power of Maratha-Hindu empire. To keep the prestige of Islam, all Muslim opposed Marathas, so Marathas could not win against Ahmed Shah Abdali inspite of being strong.

7. Weaknesses of Sardars:

Raghunanthrao conquered North India but he went to south j from there without proper arrangements. He was also lacking the qualities of a strong personality. On the other hand the gun-man of Maratha was a Muslim and he did not direct the war properly.