Tags:
Journalism of Courage
The trailer for the upcoming Hindi film ‘Panipat’, directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, was released on Tuesday. Gowariker’s ninth directorial venture, the film features Kriti Sanon, Sanjay Dutt, and Arjun Kapoor. The title refers to the Third Battle of Panipat, fought in 1761.
Two other major battles had been fought on the Panipat plains. The First Battle of Panipat, in 1526, laid the foundation of the Mughal Empire in India after its first ruler, Babur, ended the Delhi Sultanate, which at the time was led by the Lodi dynasty. The Second Battle of Panipat, in 1556, cemented Mughal rule when Akbar fought off a threat from the king Hemu ‘Vikramaditya’.
Apart from the Marathas and the Afghans, the battle and its prelude involved key roles by players in north India, including Surajmal Jat of Bharatpur, Shuja ud-Daula of Awadh, and the Rohillas. Court intrigue within the Peshwa household and disunity among Maratha generals are believed to have contributed to the Marathas’ defeat. It marked a loss of prestige for the Marathas, who lost their preeminent position in north India after this war, paving the way for British colonial power to expand here. The Marathas lost some of their most important generals and administrators, including Sadashivrao and heir-apparent Vishwasrao of the Peshwa household, Ibrahim Khan Gardi, Jankojirao Scindia, and Yashwantrao Puar.
Arjun Kapoor plays Sadashivrao ‘Bhau’, the son of Chimaji Appa, Bajirao Peshwa’s brother. Sadashivrao was a general who, before Panipat, had waged successful battles against the Nizam of Hyderabad. He led the Maratha armies at Panipat.
Kriti Sanon plays Parvati Bai, Sadashivrao’s wife who accompanied him to the Panipat battlefield.
Sanjay Dutt portrays Ahmed Shah Abdali (also called Ahmad Shah Durrani), the Afghan general, who invaded India nine times between 1747 and 1769. He is regarded as the founder of modern-day Afghanistan.
Don’t miss from Explained: After death of Baghdadi, who is the world’s ‘most wanted’ criminal?
