Battle of Taraori (1759)

having lost their territories in north-west India, Ahmed Shah Durrani determined to avenge his defeat, restore back his lost territory, and punish the Marathas, he invaded India in October,[1] having been invited by people from Mughal empire including Shah Waliullah Dehlawi, Madho Singh I and Vijay Singh of Marwar Abaldi alongside his commander, Jahan Khan, left Kandahar with a force of 40000 led by Abdali and 20000 led by Jahan khan,[2] the Afghans crossed the Indus River on 25 October, his arrival panicked the Marathas who quickly evacuated Multan and fell to Afghans without any resistance, Peshawar was also evacuated, Jahan khan defeated the Marathas near Rohtas Fort,[3] a Maratha detachment behind the Vicinity of Lahore was also defeated, they left Lahore and retreated to Batala, the Sikhs in Lahore however, resisted the afghans fiercely but ultimately defeated and Lahore was captured,[4] Sirhind was deserted as well and captured by the Afghans in 27 November.[5]

Abdali had reached Ambala and was kept informed of Maratha movements, the Maratha commander Dattaji Rao Scindia crossed the Yamuna river in order to block the passage to Delhi, Abdali, therefore, marched to battle the Marathas and oust them from Delhi, meanwhile, the Mughal vizier, Imad-ul-Mulk has also moved from Delhi with his troop and joined the Marathas at Karnal, the two armies collided in Taraori on 24 December,[6] the fighting has started and the combined Mughal-Marathas initially gained the upper hand as they routed the Afghans and chased them, Abdali, who was close contact with his advanced guard, sent his general Shah Pasand Khan with a reinforcement of 5000 suddenly intercepted the pursuers, at this moment, the Mughal soldiers disengaged and deserted the battlefield, the Afghans launched their counterattack and poured the Marathas with Musket fire,[7] two additional detachments to cover their flanks, the marathas fought despretaley, after having broke their formations and surrounded from three sides, the front and the flanks and overwhelmed by superior numbers, the marathas guards were annihilated,[8] leaving 400 killed on the battlefield.[9]

although Abdali was victorious, he withdrew under the cover of night to avoid taking another unnecessary action, he crossed the Yamuna River and continued his march to Delhi, however, he would encounter another Maratha army and engage with them in the Battle of Barari Ghat.[10]