In a monumental military feat, Raghunath Rao led the Maratha armies into the Punjab region during 1758-59. Partnering with Malhar Rao Holkar and Sikh allies, he captured Sirhind and Lahore, effectively ending the Afghan occupation of the Northwest. The Maratha “Bhagwa” flag was hoisted at the fort of Attock, marking the farthest northern expansion in the empire’s history. While this conquest showcased the Marathas as the primary power in India, it directly provoked Ahmad Shah Abdali, leading to his massive counter-invasion and the subsequent tragic confrontation at the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761.