The question asks about the Muslim general who fought and died on the side of the Marathas during the Third Battle of Panipat.

Understanding the Third Battle of Panipat

The Third Battle of Panipat was fought on January 14, 1761, between the Maratha Empire and a coalition of forces led by the King of Afghanistan, Ahmad Shah Durrani (later known as Ahmad Shah Abdali), supported by several Indian Muslim allies, including the Rohillas and Nawab of Awadh. This battle was a significant event in Indian history, marking a major setback for the Maratha power in North India.

Key Figures in the Battle

Several prominent military leaders participated in this battle. On the Maratha side, the main commander was Sadashivrao Bhau. They had various commanders and allies, including some non-Hindu military leaders who were crucial to their forces.

The options provided list several individuals:

• Ibrahim Khan Gardi
• Najeeb Uddaula
• Muzaffar Hussain
• Dost Mohammed Ruhela

Let's examine the roles of these individuals in the context of the Third Battle of Panipat:

• Ibrahim Khan Gardi: Ibrahim Khan Gardi was a military commander who specialized in artillery warfare, trained in the French style. He commanded a contingent of sepoys with artillery guns within the Maratha army. He was known for his loyalty to the Marathas and fought bravely alongside them in the battle. He was captured and executed after the Maratha defeat.
• Najeeb Uddaula: Najib-ud-Daulah was an Afghan Rohilla chief. He was a key ally of Ahmad Shah Abdali and played a crucial role in mobilizing support among Indian Muslim rulers against the Marathas. He fought on the side of Ahmad Shah Abdali, against the Marathas.
• Muzaffar Hussain: This name is not prominently associated with key commanders or figures of the Third Battle of Panipat.
• Dost Mohammed Ruhela: This name doesn't directly correspond to a well-known major commander or participant from either side in the Third Battle of Panipat in historical records, although other Rohilla chiefs like Hafiz Rahmat Khan were involved alongside Najib-ud-Daulah.

Identifying the Muslim General for the Marathas

Based on historical accounts, Ibrahim Khan Gardi was the prominent Muslim military commander who served the Marathas and fought fiercely in the Third Battle of Panipat. His artillery contingent was a significant part of the Maratha army. He remained loyal and fought until the end, ultimately losing his life as a result of the battle.

In contrast, Najeeb Uddaula was a strong opponent of the Marathas and a key figure in the Afghan coalition.

Therefore, the Muslim general who died while fighting for the Marathas in the Third Battle of Panipat was Ibrahim Khan Gardi.

Revision Table: Third Battle of Panipat Key Points

• Date: January 14, 1761
• Location: Panipat (modern-day Haryana, India)
• Combatants: Maratha Empire vs. Afghan Durrani Empire (led by Ahmad Shah Abdali) and Indian allies (Rohillas, Nawab of Awadh)
• Maratha Commander: Sadashivrao Bhau
• Afghan Commander: Ahmad Shah Durrani (Abdali)
• Outcome: Decisive victory for the Afghan-led coalition, heavy loss for the Marathas.
• Significance: Halted Maratha expansion northwards for a period, paved the way for British consolidation of power.

Additional Information: Ibrahim Khan Gardi's Loyalty and Fate

Ibrahim Khan Gardi was originally trained under the French general Bussy. He brought modern European-style infantry and artillery tactics to the Maratha army. His contingent was highly disciplined. Despite the overall Maratha defeat and chaos during the retreat, Ibrahim Khan and his troops fought fiercely. He was severely wounded and captured by the Afghan forces. Although some accounts suggest Ahmad Shah Abdali initially respected his bravery, Najib-ud-Daulah and other Rohilla chiefs, who were his enemies, pressed for his execution, which subsequently occurred.