Sadashivrao Bhau was the commander-in-chief of the Maratha forces at the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761. He attempted to modernize the Maratha army by incorporating a powerful artillery wing and disciplined infantry. However, the move away from traditional guerrilla tactics toward a fixed, conventional battle contributed to the Marathas being trapped and eventually defeated by Abdali. ANSWER: (A) Sadashivrao Bhau
Share
Sadashivrao Bhau was chosen to lead the expedition against Ahmad Shah Abdali following his brilliant victory over the Nizam at Udgir. At Panipat, he commanded an “organized” army that included the elite French-trained infantry and artillery of Ibrahim Khan Gardi. This shift toward European-style warfare required heavy logistics that the Marathas were not fully prepared to maintain in Northern India. Despite Bhau’s personal bravery and tactical efforts to maintain a defensive square, the severance of his supply lines by the Afghans led to the starvation and eventual collapse of his well-organized but immobile force.