Panipat

Panipat, a town of the Punjab, is situated 53 miles N. of Delhi, near the old bank of the Jumna, and on the great military road of northern India between Afghanistan and the Punjab. Hence it has been at various times the scene of strife between the people of India and her invaders. The first great battle of Panipat was fought in 1526, when Baber, at the head of 12,000 Mongols, defeated the army, 100,000 strong, of the emperor of Delhi. The second great battle was fought in 1556 by the Mongols under Akbar, grandson of Baber, and third of the Mogul emperors, against Hemu, an Indian general of the Afghan Sher Shah, the latter being defeated. The third battle was fought on 7th January 1761 between Ahmed, ruler of Afghanistan, and the till then invincible Mahrattas, who on this occasion suffered a total defeat and great slaughter. The existing town is enclosed by an old wall, and manufactures copper utensils, cloth, blankets, hardware, silver and glass ornaments. Pop. 25,022.