There have been such tremendous and desperate attempts to criticise Shrimant Sadashivrao Bhausaheb and Shrimant Vishwasrao for the so-called loss of Panipat that it makes one wonder the veracity of such claims.
To this, some people will come up with examples of accounts usually in the school textbooks that describe Panipat-3 in one paragraph. They cite the following reasons for the loss of Marathas.
1. Bhausaheb went ill-prepared
2. He lacked the diplomatic and strategic skills.
3. He took his wife Parvatibai with him, instead of concubines.
4. Shrimant Vishwasrao was some 17 year old lad who knew nothing about "battle".
5. Bhausaheb jumped from his elephant after Vishwasrao fell.
6. This move spread panic and Bhausaheb couldn't control himself .
7. He fought without any strategy and senselessly.
8. He couldn't go back to Pune because Nanasaheb had warned him not to return without his son Vishwasrao.
9. Malharrao Holkar was a old wise man who was warning Bhausaheb yet he was not listening to him.
10. His incapable behaviour, led to loss of 1 lac or more people.
Now, let me tell you on what these school textbooks are based on- books and accounts written by those who either belong to the court of the kings who didn't help the Marathas. Otherwise, those who fled the field. Remaining , those who have no idea about what Panipat 3 was about.
They made into the school textbooks or college textbooks only because in our country half-baked stories are considered history. One example, you will find history textbooks that describe Bhagat Singh as a terrorist. This has been proved. I have seen it myself and many others have too.
This shows one more thing, we still suffer from a colonial hangover or our textbooks suffer from it. Therefore, there has been a significant attempt to make us feel less proud of those leaders who fought on the front lines and laid down their lives without being concerned about the "THRONE".
GAME OF THRONES was played by those who didn't support Shrimant Sadashivrao Bhausaheb and therefore, they didn't support him.
Those people who left him isolated with young guns such as Jankoji Shinde, Tukoji Shinde were not wise people. They were traitors because both these young boys were fighting for the nation. They were the heirs to their dynasty and not flag bearers of Nepotism. Yet, people like Malharrao Holkar fled the field taking 90 % of the forces with them.
He didn't just flee but also allowed his foster son Najeeb Khan to enter the vyuvah arranged by Bhausaheb. This led to panic and not the death of Vishwasrao. Najeeb Khan's forces entered and they encircled Jankoji Shinde.
Bhausaheb's commanders had attained martyrdom, Vishwasrao was highly-skilled in warfare- yes, he was! He had taken training under Bhausaheb from the age of 8 years and had learned the skills. He was great at archery, sword-fighting and aggressive like his grandfather Peshwa Bajirao-1.
He had not just inherited his looks but also his skills. If he had not gone to the Panipat war and fought till the end, these were arm chair experts would've said that Bhausaheb protected his nephew.
Abdali was not fighting on the front lines like the Marathas were. He was guarded and was receding. If Vishwasrao was just a 17 year old lad who knew nothing about battle, how easy it would have been for the Afghans to capture him and take entire deccan instead.
But instead, it took a stray canon to claim the young man's life. Who on his death bed urged his uncle to "Defeat the Irani and return to Pune with a Victory". The young man was almost 20 years old with a strong athletic body being trained under his extremely fitness conscious uncle Bhausaheb.
All this information is available in the letters of the Peshwa family, foreign accounts and unbiased accounts.
Still, this information is not available in the history textbooks. They are just focused on two people. Blaming these two is easy because, it hides the flaws of the others who didn't respond to Bhausaheb's letters to join him for fighting with the enemy.
The khaps, jats, rajputs didn't go to fight against the invader for the Hindavi swaraj. Only Dogra rajputs responded to "Parvatibai's letter" to join her husband in his fight for the nation.
The myths of Panipat:
1. Parvatibai knew nothing about warfare and even horse-riding
2. Malharrao Holkar rescued her and so he left the field.
3. Vishwasrao had no idea about the battle field. He was a novice.
4. Bhausaheb lacked diplomatic skills.
5. Shirmant Vishwasrao's fiancee Radhikabai was a child bride, she died or got lost after Panipat.
The Truth of Third Battle of Panipat
1. Parvatibai was the adopted daughter of Chhatrapati Shahu-1 Maharaj. She was trained in administration, politics and warfare since childhood.
2. She had grown up listening to the stories of Shrimant Chimaji Appasaheb and Peshwa Bajirao-1.
3. Vishwasrao was just like his grandfather Peshwa Bajirao-1, from childhood he had immense interest in the affairs of the state.
4. At times he would condemn, his father Peshwa Nanasaheb for being lenient towards the enemy. He loved his uncle Shrimant Sadashivrao Bhausaheb because he was good at laying conditions.
5. Vishwasrao had taken training under his uncle Bhausaheb and was expert in archery and sword fighting. He was highly educated and knew war strategy.
6. He was extremely tall and well-built with a handsome face. He looked and fought like his grandfather. He had sharp features and blue eyes. "Purshaat dekhne Vishwasrao" meaning the most handsome among all men.
7. In the battles before Panipat, such as the Udgir one, he had led the forces and shown his brilliance. He had damaged Afghan forces in Panipat and this is the reason why, Bhausaheb gave him the place of Balvantrao Mehendale after his death. He didn't ask him to enter the crucial phase because he was foolish or desperate to give credit to his nephew. He did so, because he was the only "ABLE" man left with him since, the so-called others had left or were leaving.
8. Vishwasrao's fiancee Radhikabai Gupte was an extremely beautiful and intelligent 15 year old girl who didn't marry anyone after her fiance's martyrdom.
9. She was condemned and insulted by Vishwasrao's mother Gopikabai who blamed her for his favorite son's death.
10. Radhikabai was also trained in administration, politics and warfare but gave it up after her fiance's martyrdom.
11. Parvatibai was helped by Bhausaheb's loyalist Janu Bhatinda to reach till Narmada river bank after the Panipat catastrophe.
12. People like Janu Bhatinda are not mentioned in the history text books because they don't come from "influential" families. Their contribution gets lost.
13. Jankoji Shinde was 16 years old and his elder brother Tukoji Shinde was 19 years old when they attained martyrdom. Both of these young guns didn't leave Bhausaheb's side till their death despite of bhausaheb's repeated pleas.
14. These two young guns didn't leave Bhausaheb because they knew the value of his leadership for the purpose of Swaraj. Jankoji was Vishwasrao's best friend and he too had fought valiantly in battles before Panipat.
15. Mahadji Shinde was the only one among the Shinde brothers too survive Panipat. He, too, refused to leave Bhausaheb's side. However, due to injury he had to leave.
16. Radhikabai and Kashibai (her most favorite maid) were taken to the Sikh ruler's palace before the final battle began. This was the only Sikh dynasty who helped Bhausaheb. It was to this dynasty that the great Hari Singh was born.
17. Kashibai, the maid who was treated like a sister by Radhikabai was 8 years old.
18. Ibrahim Khan Gardi stayed by Bhausaheb till the end. He was the one, according to some records to perform his last rites. But he didn't reveal any information about Bhausaheb's death to Abdali's men.
19. Due to this Abdali, killed him.
20. Abdali didn't know till the end whether Bhausaheb was dead or alive. Along with the British, Portuguese and even French, he too, was searching for him.
21. Abdali signed the terms sent by Bhausaheb and sent them to Peshwa Nanasaheb stating that "I want peace".
22. Nanasaheb confiscated Malharrao Holkar's properties as he fled from the field spreading panic. He asked Malharrao to take back the lost fronts to rescue his properties.
23. Vishwasrao wrote a letter to his father stating that his uncle- Bhausaheb's life was more precious than his own. He wrote in the letter than Bhausaheb's survival would be essential to reach the dream of Akhand Bharat and Hindavi Swaraj.
24. Nanasaheb fell ill and passed away because Bhausaheb was the only son of his patriotic uncle Shrimant Chimaji Appa- the slayer of the Portuguese. Bhausaheb had no children.
25. Vishwasrao had killed Abdali's right hand. Abdali had suffered a lot of loss in the battle of Panipat and wanted a treaty not war.
26. There was miscommunication between Abdali and Bhausaheb which resulted in the final battle.
27. Maratha sardars who were blaming Bhausaheb for bringing his wife to the war front had themselves brought 4-21 concubines and were producing children through them.
28. The nature of Shrimant Vishwasrao was straightforward and outspoken. He called a spade a spade and was not tolerant towards those who had come to Panipat for "photo-ops". He was vary of the intentions of Malharrao Holkar and trusted Jankoji Shinde's opinion about him.
These are the facts of Panipat. If anyone cares to read more than the prescribed textbooks then you will know them. There are many documents available and I will mention the references below in this article. In any case, if you know Marathi it will be easier to understand. Armchair experts are there in the entire country but someone with an open mind and heart can understand the history better.
1. He captured all the regions along the way.
2. He freed the people from the atrocities of the greedy rulers and gave well-structured governance.
3. Bhausaheb won Delhi and broke the golden roof of the Mughal throne for the purpose of adminstration.
4. He built roads and markets for the people of Delhi.
There are many other achievements that I have not listed here. But these are the chief ones.
12. People like Janu Bhatinda are not mentioned in the history text books because they don't come from "influential" families. Their contribution gets lost.
13. Jankoji Shinde was 16 years old and his elder brother Tukoji Shinde was 19 years old when they attained martyrdom. Both of these young guns didn't leave Bhausaheb's side till their death despite of bhausaheb's repeated pleas.
14. These two young guns didn't leave Bhausaheb because they knew the value of his leadership for the purpose of Swaraj. Jankoji was Vishwasrao's best friend and he too had fought valiantly in battles before Panipat.
15. Mahadji Shinde was the only one among the Shinde brothers too survive Panipat. He, too, refused to leave Bhausaheb's side. However, due to injury he had to leave.
16. Radhikabai and Kashibai (her most favorite maid) were taken to the Sikh ruler's palace before the final battle began. This was the only Sikh dynasty who helped Bhausaheb. It was to this dynasty that the great Hari Singh was born.
17. Kashibai, the maid who was treated like a sister by Radhikabai was 8 years old.
18. Ibrahim Khan Gardi stayed by Bhausaheb till the end. He was the one, according to some records to perform his last rites. But he didn't reveal any information about Bhausaheb's death to Abdali's men.
19. Due to this Abdali, killed him.
20. Abdali didn't know till the end whether Bhausaheb was dead or alive. Along with the British, Portuguese and even French, he too, was searching for him.
21. Abdali signed the terms sent by Bhausaheb and sent them to Peshwa Nanasaheb stating that "I want peace".
22. Nanasaheb confiscated Malharrao Holkar's properties as he fled from the field spreading panic. He asked Malharrao to take back the lost fronts to rescue his properties.
23. Vishwasrao wrote a letter to his father stating that his uncle- Bhausaheb's life was more precious than his own. He wrote in the letter than Bhausaheb's survival would be essential to reach the dream of Akhand Bharat and Hindavi Swaraj.
24. Nanasaheb fell ill and passed away because Bhausaheb was the only son of his patriotic uncle Shrimant Chimaji Appa- the slayer of the Portuguese. Bhausaheb had no children.
25. Vishwasrao had killed Abdali's right hand. Abdali had suffered a lot of loss in the battle of Panipat and wanted a treaty not war.
26. There was miscommunication between Abdali and Bhausaheb which resulted in the final battle.
27. Maratha sardars who were blaming Bhausaheb for bringing his wife to the war front had themselves brought 4-21 concubines and were producing children through them.
28. The nature of Shrimant Vishwasrao was straightforward and outspoken. He called a spade a spade and was not tolerant towards those who had come to Panipat for "photo-ops". He was vary of the intentions of Malharrao Holkar and trusted Jankoji Shinde's opinion about him.
These are the facts of Panipat. If anyone cares to read more than the prescribed textbooks then you will know them. There are many documents available and I will mention the references below in this article. In any case, if you know Marathi it will be easier to understand. Armchair experts are there in the entire country but someone with an open mind and heart can understand the history better.
The Achievements of Shrimant Sadashivrao Bhausaheb during the Panipat Mohim
1. He captured all the regions along the way.
2. He freed the people from the atrocities of the greedy rulers and gave well-structured governance.
3. Bhausaheb won Delhi and broke the golden roof of the Mughal throne for the purpose of adminstration.
4. He built roads and markets for the people of Delhi.
There are many other achievements that I have not listed here. But these are the chief ones.
Why Did Ahmed Shah Abdali Leave India After Panipat?
He left India because the third battle of Panipat resulted in huge losses for his forces. Abdali wrote this in his letter to an Indian king that “The god of the Marathas was not on their side, but my god was on my side”. He further wrote that it was impossible to win the war until the stray canon hit Shrimant Vishwasrao who was valiantly fighting like his grandfather Peshwa Bajirao-1 and doing a lot of damage to the Afghan forces.
Reasons:
- Abdali wanted peace with the Marathas as he was not able to tolerate the Indian conditions but somehow there was miscommunication which resulted in the final battle.
- His general was also killed by Vishwasrao and he had suffered heavy losses.
- He was also afraid that his “Janankhana” would come under attack.
- The only reason he won was because Marathas were outnumbered and only 6–7 people including Shrimant Sadashivrao Bhausaheb, Jankoji Shinde, Tukoji Shinde and Ibrahim Khan Gardi were left.
- It was a victory by fluke for Abdali, Malharrao Holkar fled the field first, allowing Najeeb Khan (his foster son) to enter the “women and children” zone. He also took all the other Marathas who had come there with 4–21 to concubines and illegal children. They were worried that if the Marathas lost then the concubines and illegal children would become Abdali’s captive.
Considering, all these things, since he didn’t get anything in return except for the lucky victory -if you will. He left India.
Hopefully, this elaborate article has cleared many doubts and answered queries. It is true that most people didn't support the hero of Panipat. But he fought, so did Vishwasrao and also the young guns such as Jankoji Shinde, Tukoji Shinde, Mahadji Shinde and the old loyalist Ibhrahim Khan Gardi. They did because they believed in Bhausaheb's leadership and his patriotism.
Sometimes even Mahendra Singh Dhoni has a bad test series or World Cup loss, the blame game begins. At that time, we forget that cricket is team game. This is the same thing that the 2003 WC taught us. We cannot blame one or two people for the loss.
The people say, Dhoni should retire, he must leave as if he's the only one who erred. If there is a loss then the loss is sometimes due to fear. The reason we lost to Australia in 2003 under Saurav Ganguly is because we didn't believe we could win.
Similarly, Malharao Holkar and his likes didn't believe that they could win. They were afraid that they would have to lose their personal properties. Those who didn't support Bhausaheb wanted to keep a safe distance. The same way the people who didn't support Rani Laxmibai during 1857 uprising.
But the lady lion didn't give up, we salute her patriotism. Let's salute Bhausaheb, Vishwasrao's, Jankoji and Tukoji Shinde's patriotism. They were rich and reigning. They had everything at their feet. However, they left the luxury and fought on the front lines for the nation against a cruel invader.
They were successful in capturing Delhi and providing better governance to the capital. How do we forget that? They had a lot of money and could have lived a "Nawabi" lifestyle. They were not like today's dynastic rulers or for that matter today's politicians who are giving up the lives of young 22 years old soldiers for their better lives.
They don't fight on the front lines, they fight for chairs and money. Their kids are flag bearers of Nepotism. We see Nepotism everywhere. In India, this is the biggest disorder today that's why we are not ready to give up on reservations and allow MERIT to survive.
P.S. Maratha community includes all castes such as Brahmins, SKP, CKP, Maratha etc. Maratha caste is a caste. All Marathi speaking people belong to Maratha community not caste.
I just wish that my article, has cleared the air about the sons of Bharat Ma who truly believed in Chhatrapati Shivaji's cause of "Swaraj"- India for Indians!
JAI HIND, JAI MAHARASHTRA!
Happy Independence day, folks!
References:
Grand Duff's book on Panipat
Swami by Ranjit Desai
Sardesai's book on Panipat
Letters of the Peshwa family
Sakalrajyakaryadhurundhar Sadashivraobhau
Vishwas Patil's book on Panipat.
Other credible sources written by unbiased Indian and Foreign authors, also accounts.
#Sadashivrao #Bhausaheb #Parvatibai #Shrimant #Vishwasrao #Radhikabai #Peshwe #Peshwa #Panipat #History #Indian #AhmedShahAbdali #MalharraoHolkar #Dogra #Sikh #Maratha #Marathas #JankojiShinde #MahadjiShinde #TukojiShinde #Gwalior #Pune #Panipat1761
If you liked my article then you can take a look at the chapter from my book Mee Radhika, based on the life of Radhikabai Peshwe- the beautiful and kind- hearted lost love of Shrimant Vishwasrao Peshwe.
Visit- Mee Radhika: Book 3- Chapter : Radhikabai's Shrimant Vishwasrao Peshwe - Part 1
Chapters from Mee Radhika: The Lost Love of Shrimant Vishwasrao Peshwa
1. Radhikabai's Shrimant Vishwasrao Peshwe
2. Gopikabai: The Politician
3. The Starry Night At Shaniwarwada
4. Radhikabai's Shrimant Vishwasrao Peshwe- Part 2
Related Articles:
1. The Untold Truth of Panipat 3: Did the Marathas actually lose?
2. Parvatibai Sadashivrao Peshwe: The Misunderstood Peshwa Woman
3. Chimaji Appasaheb Peshwa: The Slayer of the Portuguese Regime Book Chapter 4
2. Gopikabai: The Politician
3. The Starry Night At Shaniwarwada
4. Radhikabai's Shrimant Vishwasrao Peshwe- Part 2
Related Articles:
1. The Untold Truth of Panipat 3: Did the Marathas actually lose?
2. Parvatibai Sadashivrao Peshwe: The Misunderstood Peshwa Woman
3. Chimaji Appasaheb Peshwa: The Slayer of the Portuguese Regime Book Chapter 4
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