UPSC Prelims 2010 Q139: Modern History – Advent Of Europeans & British Expansion
- (a) He wanted to avenge the expulsion by Marathas of his viceroy Timur Shah from Lahore
- (b) The frustrated governor of Jullundhar Adina Beg Khan invited him to invade Punjab
- (c) He wanted to punish Mughal administration for non - payment of the revenues of the Chahar Mahal (Gujarat, Aurangabad, Sialkot and Pasrur)
- (d) He wanted to annex all the fertile plains of Punjab up to the borders of Delhi to his kingdom
Answer: (a) He wanted to avenge the expulsion by Marathas of his viceroy Timur Shah from Lahore
Explanation
The immediate cause of Abdali's invasion leading to the Third Battle of Panipat
Ahmad Shah Abdali's invasion that culminated in the Third Battle of Panipat (1761) had a specific, direct trigger.
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Avenging the Marathas' expulsion of his viceroy Timur Shah from Lahore | Correct | The Marathas had driven out Abdali's son/viceroy Timur Shah from Lahore, and Abdali's invasion was an immediate response to avenge this expulsion and reassert control |
| (b) Invited by the frustrated governor of Jullundhar, Adina Beg Khan | Incorrect | This relates to an earlier phase of Punjab's political turmoil, not the specific immediate trigger for this particular invasion |
| (c) To punish for non-payment of Chahar Mahal revenues | Incorrect | This is not the specific documented immediate cause of this invasion |
| (d) To annex all fertile Punjab plains up to Delhi's borders | Incorrect | While Abdali had broader territorial interests, this wasn't the specific immediate trigger for this invasion |
Third Battle of Panipat, 1761:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Immediate cause | Avenging Timur Shah's expulsion from Lahore by the Marathas |
| Result | Decisive Afghan victory over the Marathas |
| Significance | Weakened Maratha power, reshaping North Indian politics |
Answer: (a) He wanted to avenge the expulsion by Marathas of his viceroy Timur Shah from Lahore.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Abdali's invasion was an immediate response to the Marathas' expulsion of his viceroy, Timur Shah, from Lahore.
- (b) Incorrect. Adina Beg Khan's invitation relates to an earlier phase of events, not this specific immediate trigger.
- (c) Incorrect. Revenue non-payment is not the documented immediate cause of this invasion.
- (d) Incorrect. Broader annexation ambitions existed, but weren't the specific immediate trigger here.
Key point
The immediate cause of Abdali's invasion leading to the Third Battle of Panipat was AVENGING THE MARATHAS' EXPULSION of his viceroy Timur Shah from Lahore.
Remember
Immediate cause of the Third Battle of Panipat (1761): Abdali avenging the Marathas' expulsion of his viceroy Timur Shah from Lahore.
Common mistakes
- Confusing this specific immediate trigger with earlier, separate events in Punjab's political turmoil (like Adina Beg Khan's invitation).
- Overgeneralizing Abdali's broader territorial ambitions as the specific immediate cause.
- Not knowing the specific role of Timur Shah as Abdali's viceroy in Lahore.
Exam tip
Third Battle of Panipat's immediate trigger: Marathas expelling Abdali's viceroy Timur Shah from Lahore, prompting his revenge invasion.
Sources
- Satish Chandra — Medieval India (NCERT textbook for Class XI)
- Jadunath Sarkar — Fall of the Mughal Empire, Volume 2 (Orient Longman)