Understanding the Battle Described

The passage describes a significant battle where the Maratha forces, led by Bhau (likely Sadashiv Rao Bhau), suffered a crushing defeat. Key figures like Vishwas Rao and Sadashiv Rao Bhau were killed, and the Marathas lost a vast amount of resources and men. The description of the immense losses and the strategic errors points to a major historical confrontation.

Based on the details provided, including the defeat of the Marathas, the leadership of Sadashiv Rao Bhau and Vishwas Rao, and the scale of the disaster, the battle described is widely recognized as the Third Battle of Panipat, fought in 1761 between the Maratha Empire and the Durrani Afghan forces led by Ahmad Shah Durrani.

Identifying an Eyewitness of the Third Battle of Panipat

Eyewitness accounts are crucial primary sources for understanding historical events like the Third Battle of Panipat. They provide perspectives from individuals who were present during the events, offering details that might not be found in other records.

The question asks to identify which of the given individuals was an eyewitness to this specific war described in the passage.

Analyzing the Options

Let's consider the individuals listed in the options:

• Sambhaji Mohite: While a historical figure, he is not primarily known as an eyewitness chronicler of the Third Battle of Panipat.
• Kashiraj Pandit: Kashiraj Pandit was indeed present during the Third Battle of Panipat and served in the camp of Shuja-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Awadh, who was allied with Ahmad Shah Durrani. He wrote a detailed Persian account of the battle, which is considered one of the most valuable primary sources from the Maratha perspective, despite him being on the other side. His account provides significant details about the events leading up to and during the battle.
• Guru Ramdas: Guru Ramdas (1534-1581) was the fourth Sikh Guru. His lifetime does not coincide with the Third Battle of Panipat (1761).
• Kanhoji Angre: Kanhoji Angre (1667-1729) was a Maratha admiral. His lifetime also does not coincide with the Third Battle of Panipat (1761).

Determining the Eyewitness

Based on historical records, Kashiraj Pandit is confirmed as an individual who was present at the Third Battle of Panipat and documented his observations. His narrative is a key source for historians studying this conflict.

Therefore, Kashiraj Pandit was an eyewitness to the war described in the passage.

Conclusion

Considering the historical context and the available information about the individuals listed, Kashiraj Pandit is the only person among the options who was an eyewitness and wrote an account of the Third Battle of Panipat, the battle described in the passage.

Revision Table: Third Battle of Panipat Eyewitness

Additional Information: Primary Sources for Panipat Battle

Understanding historical events like the Third Battle of Panipat often relies on analyzing primary sources, which are materials created during the time period being studied. Eyewitness accounts are a type of primary source.

• Kashiraj Pandit's Account: His Persian narrative is a significant source for understanding the events, strategies, and outcomes from a perspective within the Afghan camp, though it provides crucial details on the Maratha side as well.
• Maratha Accounts: Various letters and despatches written by Maratha individuals involved or affected by the battle also serve as primary sources, offering insights into their preparations, experiences, and the aftermath.
• Afghan/Durrani Accounts: Sources from the Afghan side also exist, providing a broader perspective on the conflict.
• Contemporary Writings: Other writers and chroniclers of the period might also have recorded information about the battle, contributing to the overall historical understanding.

Studying multiple primary sources helps historians build a more complete picture of complex events like the Third Battle of Panipat.