Panipat battle a symbol of Maratha bravery, not defeat: CM Fadnavis

Maharashtra CM defends Maratha bravery in Third Battle of Panipat, plans memorials to honor their courage.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday (March 25, 2025) said that the Third Battle of Panipat was a testament to the bravery of the Marathas and not a reminder of their defeat. Speaking in the State Assembly during a debate on the ‘Last Week Motion’ initiated by the Opposition, he spoke on the Marathas’ valour in the historic battle against Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Abdali in 1761.

Mr. Fadnavis also informed the House that the Maharashtra government is constructing a Shiv Smarak (memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) in Agra. Additionally, land is being acquired in Panipat, Haryana, for a memorial commemorating the Marathas’ role in the battle.

However, Opposition Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Jitendra Awhad questioned the need for a memorial at Panipat, arguing that it marked a Maratha defeat. “Panipat is neither a symbol of our bravery nor our defeat. It only reminds me of loss. There is no memorial of defeat in the world,” Mr. Awhad remarked.

Countering this, Mr. Fadnavis reiterated that the battle was a reflection of Maratha courage. He recalled how, at the time, the emperor in Delhi was paying ‘chauth’ (tribute) to the Marathas. When Abdali captured Delhi, he sought Maratha intervention to reclaim the city.

“The Marathas marched to Delhi, defeated Abdali, and forced him to retreat across the Yamuna. Abdali later proposed a truce, suggesting that Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan remain under his control while the rest of the subcontinent stayed with the Marathas,” the Chief Minister stated.

Rejecting Abdali’s proposal, the Marathas insisted they would not concede an inch of Indian territory, he said. “They fought not for their own cause but to ensure these regions remained part of India,” Mr. Fadnavis added.