Question

Conflict with the Afghans

Answer 1

1. The Marathas chastised the Rohillas, who had migrated from Afghanistan to Rohilkhand.
2. The ruler of Afghanistan, Ahmadshah Abdali, who was attracted by the riches of India and wanted to bring the region up to Punjab under Afghanistan, attacked Punjab in 1751 CE.
3. As there was anarchy in the Mughal territory, the Mughal Emperor sought help from Marathas to protect Delhi from the threat of Abdali’s invasion. He signed a treaty with the Marathas in April 1752 to protect the Mughal power from enemies like the Rohillas, the Jats, the Rajputs, and the Afghans.
4. In return, the Marathas were given the right to collect Chauthai in the territories of Punjab, Multan, Rajputana, Sindh, and Rohilkhand and the Subhedari of Ajmer and Agra provinces.
5. As per the treaty, the Peshwa sent the Shinde-Holkar armies to protect Delhi on behalf of the Chhatrapati. On hearing that the Marthas were marching to Delhi, Abdali went back to his country.
6. Since Abdali’s threat got averted, the Emperor gave the Marathas and Chauthai rights to the Mughal subhas of Kabul, Kandahar, and Peshawar, which were a part of Abdali’s Afghanistan.
7. According to the treaty, it was the Marathas’ duty to win back these Subhas from Abdali.
8. A conflict ensued between Abdali and the Marathas, which further led to the Third Battle of Panipat. Abdali invaded India six times during this period.