# panipat # panipatactionmovie
The film follows Sadashivrao Bhau, the valiant Maratha commander, as he leads his army against the formidable Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Abdali.
By 1758, under the leadership of Peshwa Balaji Bajirao, also known as Nana Saheb, the Maratha Empire reached its zenith. Maratha commanders such as Raghunath Rao, the Peshwa’s brother; Shamsher Bahadur, his stepbrother; and Sadashivrao Bhau, his cousin, defeated the Nizam of Hyderabad and his artillery commander, Ibrahim Khan Gardi. Sadashivrao convinced Ibrahim to join the Maratha army as their artillery commander. They returned to the empire's capital, Pune, but due to pressure from his wife, Gopikabai, the Peshwa appointed Sadashivrao as the empire’s finance minister in favor of his son, Vishwasrao, which Sadashivrao reluctantly accepted.
Sadashivrao prepared a list of defaulters who failed to pay the Maratha Empire its dues on time. He noted that Najib-ud-Daula, the chief of Rohilkhand, owed the highest amount. Fearing the Marathas, Najib invited Ahmad Shah Abdali to Delhi. News of this alliance reached Pune, along with the report of the Maratha general Dattaji Shinde's assassination by Najib while collecting revenue.
The Peshwa appointed Raghunath Rao as the commander of the Maratha forces to fight Abdali and defend Delhi. However, Raghunath demanded a substantial sum, which Sadashivrao, citing the strained state of the treasury after continuous wars, refused to provide. Raghunath then refused to march north, forcing the Peshwa to appoint Sadashivrao as the commander-in-chief of the Maratha army under Vishwasrao’s authority. The army, accompanied by a large number of women, children, and pilgrims, embarked on a long and arduous march north.
Sadashivrao began forging alliances with other states, including Maharaja Surajmal and Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula, and succeeded in growing his army to 50,000. Meanwhile, Abdali was forming alliances, taking advantage of the Rajput rulers' resentment toward the Marathas. Sadashivrao and his commanders received intelligence that Abdali had camped on the other side of the Yamuna, with Shuja's banners visible in Abdali’s camp, revealing that the Nawab had switched loyalties. Heavy rains prevented the Marathas from constructing a bridge to cross the Yamuna. Sadashivrao decided to march north, seize Delhi, and then confront Abdali after crossing the river.
Najib received intelligence that the Marathas had retreated, leading Abdali to predict their northward advance toward Delhi. Abdali decided to move north as well and cross the Yamuna. Meanwhile, the Marathas captured Delhi. Learning that the Afghans were pursuing them, Sadashivrao strategically seized the fort of Kunjpura, massacring Abdali's helpless troops, enraging him to the extent that he crossed the swollen Yamuna despite heavy rains. This prevented Maharaja Ala Singh of Patiala from sending reinforcements. Food supplies began to dwindle, and Maratha soldiers and civilians were forced to go without sustenance. Although some relief came with the arrival of Raja Anup Singh’s forces, the Marathas faced Abdali’s army near Panipat shortly after setting up camp.
Upon hearing of a possible coup in Kandahar, Abdali initially arranged a truce with Sadashivrao but later canceled it over disagreements about Abdali's terms. Both sides prepared for the final confrontation, deciding their strategies and formations.
The battle began with artillery fire from both sides. Under Ibrahim Khan’s leadership, the Marathas inflicted heavy losses on Abdali’s army. Riflemen also launched assaults, and the infantry followed with a strong attack, putting up an impressive fight. Many of Abdali’s soldiers fled in fear, but he threatened severe punishment and forced them back into battle. Meanwhile, upon seeing Shamsher Bahadur injured, Vishwasrao dismounted from his elephant to save him. Sadashivrao protected the young prince from attacking Afghans, but Vishwasrao was fatally shot. This dealt a severe blow to the Marathas’ morale, leading to their gradual loss of control. One by one, Maratha commanders were injured or killed. Unexpectedly, Anup Singh withdrew from the battle, later revealed to have secretly allied with Abdali due to resentment over the high taxes imposed by the Marathas. Witnessing the tide of the battle, Malhar Rao Holkar retreated from the battlefield, fulfilling his promise to Sadashivrao to ensure the safety of the non-combatants.
Abdali’s soldiers closed in on Sadashivrao, who fought valiantly but was severely wounded. Eventually, he succumbed to his injuries and died.
Back in Pune, Parvati Bai, overcome with grief, passed away. Abdali sent a letter to the Peshwa praising Sadashivrao’s valor and bravery. The epilogue reveals that despite his victory, Abdali never returned to India. Under Peshwa Madhav Rao’s leadership, generals Mahadji Shinde and Tukojirao Holkar recaptured Delhi a decade later, restoring the Marathas as a dominant power.
