"Panipat" by Vishwas Patil

The following review is also published in Deccan Herald, on 15 March 2020 [edited].

It's the Theatre of War

The defeat of the Marathas at Panipat has gone down as a disastrous and a shameful event in the annals of Indian history. The publication of Vishwas Patil's Marathi novel Panipat (1988) and its subsequent translations into Hindi and other regional languages has changed the perspective of the readers towards this historical episode. Although the forces and allies of the Afghan ruler, Ahmad Shah Abdali, wangled victory, it was veracious that the Afghan empire too was overwhelmed by the buoyant Maratha empire. Today, the Third Battle of Panipat is seen as an event that reminds us of the resilient and unyielding Maratha soldiers. Therefore, one of the best ways to describe this historical episode is that it encapsulated an epoch of both belief and incredulity.

Handcuffed to History The first two battles of Panipat marks the beginning of the spread of the Mughals in India, but the third battle which was fought between the Maratha and the Durrani empire is etched as one of the biggest and most significant battles in India, in the eighteenth century. Patil's narrative of this historical episode serves as an allegory of an arduous journey taken up even in the direst crisis. The battle is noteworthy in terms of the was strategies adapted. The Marathas led by Sadashiv Rao Bhau and his ally Ibrahim Gardi used European fighting tactics; while Abdali's army made up for their lack of field artillery in brutally effective mobile artillery - the tough soldiers. The Maratha plan didn't work out well, and soon the majority of the army was defeated by dwindling resources and grave hunger. The narrative effectively highlights certain aspects like the lack of the Maratha's ability to persuade the masses, the capability of the Afghan to lead the troop of soldiers and the role of women and children in the entire ritual of war. It also narrates how the great battle changed the power equations in India. Though the Afghans emerged victorious in this war, they could hardly rule any further.

Har Har Mahadev and Allah hu Akbar The war was given a religious colour, and the chants that reverberated on the grounds of Panipat embraced the gods in a manner of poisoning the mortality of humans. The distinction between right and wrong had vanished. Vilification campaigns were carried out on a great spree, and there was no possibility, though several attempts were made, of arriving at a truce. The battle did not decide who was to rule India but rather who was not. This furthered the already existing gaps between different sects, and strong animosities were now built within the armies; and these internal squabbles, in a way, unintentionally paved a clear path for the rise of the British power in India in the late eighteenth century. While the religious tinge marred the hearts, the tales of betrayals deepened the wounds and the scars of failing to gage people became a terrible weakness of the Marathas. Alongside, there is the presence of the unsettling rhythm of Nature which affected the Maratha soldiers severely. Death was Nature's remedy for all things! Patil provides a striking narrative in terms of describing the role of Nature and its unfabourable conditions for the Maratha soldiers. The significant water body, Yamuna, and its disconcerting tides became symbolic in predicting a horrific future for the Maratha empire. The Afghan empire too witnessed the effect of nature in larger terms. Nevertheless, despite the wanting of food and fodder and depleting treasury in both the empires, the battle became a testimony which reiterated the tale of brave escutcheons.

Quintessential Read The historical account retold in fiction has carefully looked at its sources to stamp authenticity. At the same time, the narrative is emotionally charged and Patil has managed to bring out the wisdom and foolishness that went into the bloodshed. The unhurried and articulate story-telling style grips the attention of the readers, and simultaneously allows them to visualize and recreate in imagination the entire war scenario. Nadeem Khan, the translator, has done a fine job in trying to retain the flavour of the original language as much as possible. Panipat is a fitting historical fiction that has managed to imagine and capture the details of war scrupulously, and it deserves a read for its meticulous attempt of retelling history through fiction.