The main causes of third battle of Panipat were these as given below:
1. Anarchy in Mughal Empire: `
after the attack of Nadir Shah, the foundation of Mughal Empire was shaken. Every where Sardars were engaged in king free their provinces. Sayyad brothers had fallen so the unity among Sardars had been finished. Seeing this anarchy, Ahmed became more courageous.
2. Top of Maratha Power:
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Now Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao and his Generals had established their terror in South by establishing their influence on Karnatak and Nizam etc. Raghunathrao plundered in Punjab and hoisted his flag till attack. Raghunathrao made his faithful Sardar Adani Beg, the governor of Punjab and defeated Vimurashah son of Ahmed Shah Abdali. So Ahmed Shah Abdali decided to attack on India.
3. Internal Dispute:
Being afraid of Marathas power, Mughal Emperor came in the refuge of Marathas. Mughal Vajeet Safdarjang defeated Ruhela Sardars with the help of Marathas. So Ruhela became enemy of Mughals and Marathas. In the same way Marathas started to fight with Nizam, Avadh and Rajputs. Scindia and Holkar were also enemy because of the interrupting the problem of succession of Ishwar Singh and Madhav Singh. Due to this internal dispute, Ahmed Shah Abdali was much encouraged.
4. Hinduism of Marathas:
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Marathas has much feeling of Hinduism. They were trying to establish their Hindu Empire. So all Muslims of India were envious to them. Rajputs also did not help them.
5. Invitation to Ahmed Shah Abdali:
many innovators got success in India due to internal dispute. Jai Chand invited Muhammad Ghori for invasion and Daulat Khan had invited to Babur. In the same way, Ruhels and Rajputs had invited Ahmed Shah Abdali to attack on India.
6. Fire-anger of the Ahmed Shah Abdali:
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Ahmed Shah Abdali had controlled Punjab, Sarhind etc., much time. He was also defeated sometimes. By the Marathas Punjab victory, his anger fierced. Getting the invitation of the Ruhels and Rajputs he attacked on India at once.