What significant change occurred to the Maratha confederacy after the ...
Significant Change After the Third Battle of Panipat
The Third Battle of Panipat, fought in 1761, was a pivotal moment in Indian history and had profound consequences for the Maratha Confederacy.
Impact of the Battle
- The Maratha Confederacy suffered a devastating defeat against the Durrani Empire led by Ahmad Shah Durrani.
- This loss resulted in massive casualties, with estimates suggesting that around 70,000 to 100,000 soldiers and civilians were killed.
Fragmentation of the Confederacy
- Following the defeat, the Maratha strength was severely diminished, leading to a power vacuum in the region.
- The Confederacy, which had been a powerful alliance among various kingdoms, started to fragment.
Emergence of Regional States
- Different Maratha chiefs and regional leaders, such as the Holkars, Scindias, and Bhonsles, began to assert their independence.
- This fragmentation resulted in the emergence of multiple smaller states, each led by different factions, rather than a unified Maratha power.
Consequences of Division
- The internal divisions weakened the Maratha position against external threats, particularly from the British East India Company.
- The lack of a cohesive leadership made it difficult for the Marathas to mount a strong resistance against British expansion in the subsequent decades.
In summary, after the Third Battle of Panipat, the Maratha Confederacy was significantly weakened and divided into various states under different chiefs, marking a crucial turning point in the power dynamics of India.
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