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Turning Points in Indian History

Matching Panipat Battles and Nadir Shah Invasions

Key historical years are: 1526 (First Panipat), 1556 (Second Panipat), 1739 (Nadir Shah's invasion), and 1761 (Third Panipat). These events represent the rise and fall of various imperial powers in India.

Primary Reference: NCERT Class VII: Our Pasts - II

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Match the following events with their respective years:
EventYear
A. Massacres in Delhi by Nadir Shah1. 1556
B. First battle of Panipat2. 1526
C. Second battle of Panipat3. 1761
D. Third battle of Panipat4. 1739

[UPSC CSE Previous Year]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept


Panipat served as the 'Battlefield of India' due to its strategic location. Each of the three Panipat battles marked a fundamental shift in the subcontinent's political control, as did the devastating 18th-century Persian invasion.

Authentic Source Evidence


  • Nadir Shah's Invasion (1739): Ended Mughal prestige and looted Delhi.

  • 1st Panipat (1526): Babur established the Mughal Empire.

  • 2nd Panipat (1556): Akbar consolidated the empire by defeating Hemu.

  • 3rd Panipat (1761): Abdali defeated the Marathas, weakening their bid for Delhi.

    • Analytical Breakdown


  • Logic 1: The matching A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3 is the only sequence that follows the historical years for each landmark event.

  • Logic 2: Panipat 1 and 2 were foundation-building moments for the Mughals, while the 1739 and 1761 events represent the chaotic decline and external threats of the 18th century.

    • Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

    "Why was Panipat a recurring battlefield?"

    It lay on the direct path from the Northwest to Delhi, providing the last flat terrain for a decisive large-scale battle before the capital.

    Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

    "The sequence of these battles tracks the entire arc of Mughal history—from its creation in 1526 to its terminal decline in the mid-1700s."

    Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

    Babur 3Akbar 6Nadir Shah 6Ahmad Shah Abdali 2

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