The Prelude To Panipat
India held her breath in painful suspense for the last six months of the year 1760. A struggle between the foreign Afghan invader and the Maratha for ascendancy in Northern India was given the appearance of a great communal and religious war by the Durrani. Agents of Peshwa visited the court of every Hindu prince of Rajputana, but received a cold reception and evasive replies. Right from the start the Maratha commander attempted to win over allies. He wrote, though in vain, to the various Hindu and Muslim chiefs, seeking their help in banishing the invader and protecting India. The Sarva Khap Panchayat of the upper Doab, however, responded to this call.
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“I am a prelude to better players, O my brothers! An example! Follow my example!”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)