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

Panipat emerged as a crucial battleground location in pre-modern India due to its strategic geographical position in the northern plains. Sitting along vital trade routes leading to Delhi and between the fertile Indus and Ganges agricultural regions, Panipat was a tempting prize for empires seeking to capture the wealthy northern Indian heartland.

• Panipat’s position on the Grand Trunk Road gave it excellent overland access from northwest through Punjab towards the Gangetic plains and eastern territories.
• Its near proximity to Delhi allowed rapid troop movements and supply lines from Panipat to flow into the capital city while keeping Delhi itself insulated from damage.
• The wide open plains surrounding Panipat provided manoeuvrability for the large armies of invaders to effectively deploy cavalry and elephants to maximum impact against defenders of India’s northwestern frontiers.
• Capturing Panipat opened up access through the corridors connecting India’s northern breadbasket regions. Control of these vital trade and resources gave empires a launching point to seize Delhi and dominate the northern Indian plains for centuries.

Panipat’s geography on the crossroads of critical north-south and east-west trade arteries as well as its fertile plains capable of supplying armies created the ideal battleground location for empire-builders seeking control of Delhi and wider North India. Its strategic positioning saw Panipat influence the region’s power dynamics for ages.

Topics: GS-I: Modern Indian History & Freedom Struggle