The third battle of panipat was fought in 1761. why were so many empire-shaking battles fought at panipat?
Answers
Panipat was of immense strategic importance to the India of the pre modern era. It was located along the banks of Yamuna, and near Delhi. It used to be commonly said that whoever controlled Delhi, controlled North India. Delhi itself was located in an excellent position: between two agriculturally prosperous regions i.e. the plains of the Indus and the plains of the Ganges. All empire-shaking challenges in India would have been made against the ruler who controlled Delhi, thus, giving Panipat an important role in the battle.
India faced multiple invaders from the North and especially the North-west, and Panipat became the preferred battleground for such invaders and the Indian rulers to face each other. Notably, Panipat fell on the Grand Trunk Road built by Shershah Suri, which made it easy for conquerors to find their way there. Additionally, Panipat was an area with a terrain that consisted mostly of large plains, making it suitable for war. Also, its proximity to the capital of Delhi made it easy for the Indian rulers to transport weapons, military and food supplies etc to the battleground, and still keep the capital insulated from the conflict at hand.