UPSC Mains 2014 · GS I · Q4 · 10 marks · 150 words

The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761. Why were so many empire-shaking battles fought at Panipat ?

हिन्दी में

पानीपत का तीसरा युद्ध 1761 में लड़ा गया था । क्या कारण हैं कि इतनी अधिक साम्राज्य-प्रकंपी लड़ाइयाँ पानीपत में लड़ी गई थीं ?

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “The third battle of Panipat did not decide who would rule India but rather who would not. Discuss.”

Ayan JainAIR 16 · CSE 2023 · 45 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a restatement

The Third Battle of Panipat was fought between Marathas and the British empire, and played a major role in deciding the future of India.

Body · points and prose

Diagram
* Did not decide who would rule India * Even after victory, the British were not the clear rulers of India. * other European powers as the Dutch and French remained strong contenders. * Only after Battle of Bidara (1759) and Battle of Wandiwash (1760) were Dutch and French defeated respectively. * Thus the winner of the 3rd battle of Panipat was not poised to be the sole remaining power in India.
Diagram
- Decided who would not rule India - The Marathas faced a crushing defeat and could never recover. - No other major Indian power remained strong. - Europeans were much stronger. - Thus, it was clear that no Indian power would rule India. - There was no scope of any alliance/confederacy among Indian states. - Only major powers were British, French, Dutch

Close · a summary

Thus, the 3rd battle of Panipat ensured that no Indian power would rule India, but the ruler was not yet evident.

How toppers approach this question, and more on its topic: open the question.

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2014, General Studies Paper I, Q4. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.