"We need to freeze his body with stuff like that and preserve him in Kabul. Kind of embalming like the Egyptians would do. We want to put him on display or something like that."

That's How Handsome:

They wanted to preserve him
Display him in Kabul
Like a trophy

Kashi Raj Pandit's Intervention

Who Intervened:

After battle was over
Both bodies (Vishwas Rao and presumably Bhau) fell into Abdali's hands
Suja-ud-Daula sent his administrator
That Kashi Raj Pandit guy (Hindu administrative personality)

What He Said to Abdali:

"You are king of kings"
"It doesn't look good on you"
"To play with bodies of your so-called enemies"
"But they are no more enemies of yours"
"They're dead"
"You should let it go"
"Give these bodies to Kashi Raj Pandit"
"Let them be given proper honor"
"Whatever rituals Hinduism demands or wants"
"Proper burial" (not burial, but proper things)
"You should have the generous heart"

What Happened:

Didn't preserve Vishwas Rao
Probably didn't have time
Or listened to Kashi Raj Pandit

The Jat Community

Who They Are

The Background:

Jats are old community in India

Jat Sikhs:

When some Jats converted to Sikhism
They are called Jat Sikhs
Still remember forefathers used to be Jat
Take pride in that

Their Reputation:

Very, very good fighters
In Indian army: very well known
Even to this day
Really the battle-hardening part of the army

Bhau's Letter to Northern Powers

The Appeal

The Argument:

"We should not allow Abdali to take roots in India."

About the Mughals:

Chakateyachi or Chugtai Gharane (original Mughal name)
Referring to Timur lineage
"By then Mughals were almost Indian"
Even though ancestors came from outside of India
From central India (Central Asia)
But at least were considered kind of to belong

The Message:

"Now we have to get together and protect the Mughal empire. Because they are no Indian, we don't consider them as outsiders. They are one of us, so we have to protect them and keep them in place."

The Promise

What Bhau Pledged:

None of you should make alliance with Abdali
If we gain victory
We will give the rule in hands of Mughal emperor
We'll resurrect Mughal emperor
Raise him again

The Subtext:

"Don't worry, I'm not going to take the throne."

Why Resurrecting the Mughals Mattered

The Comfort Factor

The Reality:

In India: all these kingdoms, everybody
Were comfortable with Mughal emperor
Been there for 300 years
"The devil you know"

The Alternative Problem:

Moment you get rid of Mughal emperor
Who else?
Suraj Mal says: "I want to be that man"
Jaudwila (Suja?) says: "I want to be new power in Delhi"
"It's going to be a mess"
Marathas will say: "We want to be the power"
Then infighting will begin

The Strategy

What Marathas Wanted:

Some namesake emperor
Nobody will oppose Mughals
Been there forever
Just admit they will be resurrected
Keeps peace
Prevents power vacuum

The Summer Question

When Bhau Started

The Timeline:

By 15th of March or end of March
Bhau was on the march
Nobody was sure: will Abdali stay in India during summer?
That was the mystery

Why It Mattered:

By end of March: summer begins in Indian subcontinent
By time Bhau gets there (2-3 months)
Will be by May
May is peak summer

Abdali's Pattern

The History:

So far: Abdali had come to India 4-5 times
But never stayed in summer months
His army did not like it
Not used to intense summer heat
Not their typical weather
Found it very uneasy

The Uncertainty:

"That is why nobody was sure whether he will stay put in India by the time Sadashivrao reaches the northern frontier."

Holkar's Guerrilla Tactics

His Situation

What Happened:

Holkar had lost the kind of battle (reference to Dattaji's death)
But was in and around Delhi

His Strategy:

Knew: cannot take Abdali's forces on frontal warfare
One-on-one front
Was doing the Dhanmikawa (guerrilla tactics)
Surgical strike
Go attack and come back
That kind of stuff

Why:

Didn't have the courage
Neither does he have wherewithal
To take him on frontal
Too much to ask

What He Was Doing:

Harassing Abdali

The Realization: Abdali Will Stay

At Mawa

The Location:

Closer to Narmada
Come a little distance away from the Khan (Deccan)
Going towards north

The Intel:

When got into Mawa
Understood that Abdali not going to go away
In summer month
Not going back to Afghanistan
Going to be some clash or friction

The Reason:

"Because he's not going anywhere and I'm going to catch up with him. What is going to happen?"

The Conclusion:

Got the intel
This guy is going to stay put
There is going to be a battle

Key Players

Name	Role	Status/Action
Sadashiv Rao Bhau	Maratha commander	Leading march north, struggling with rivers
Vishwas Rao	Namesake commander, 19 years old	Most handsome man in India, being trained
Nanasaheb Peshwa	Peshwa	Staying in Pune, made strategic decisions
Raghunath Rao	Senior Maratha leader	Stayed back to watch Nizam
Nizam	Hyderabad ruler	Breaking treaty, back to old ways
Malhar Rao Holkar	Maratha commander	In Delhi area, doing guerrilla tactics
Ahmad Shah Abdali	Afghan invader	Staying for summer (breaking pattern)
Govind Pant Bundele	Maratha officer	In north, receiving letters
Kashi Raj Pandit	Suja's administrator	Later intervenes to save Vishwas Rao's body

Timeline

Date	Event
Early 1760	Bhau wins at Udgir against Nizam
Early 1760	Nizam breaks treaty (Marathas leaving)
March 14-15, 1760	Bhau starts march from Patador
June 10, 1760	Bhau 50 miles from Agra, about to cross Gambhir
June-July 1760	Takes one month to cross Gambhir river
March-May 1760	Uncertainty: will Abdali stay for summer?
At Mawa	Bhau gets intel: Abdali will stay
Ongoing	Holkar doing guerrilla tactics near Delhi

Geographic Context

The Route:

Patador (near Aurangabad) → starting point
Udgir → where Nizam battle was
Gambhir River → took one month to cross
Agra → 50 miles from Gambhir
Mawa → where Bhau learned Abdali staying
Narmada → closer to this area
Delhi → ultimate destination

The Rivers:

Gambhir → not major, tributary of Narmada
Narmada → fairly broad and big
Yamuna → Abdali already crossed
Ganga → Abdali between this and Yamuna (Doab)
Sindhu, Jhelum, five rivers → Abdali crossed all these

Major Themes

1. The River Crossing Incompetence

The Shocking Reality:

One month to cross Gambhir
Not even a major river
Just a tributary
During monsoon (flooded)

The Contrast:

Abdali crossed: Sindhu, Jhelum, five rivers, Yamuna
Somehow mastered the technique
Marathas: completely inept

The Implication:

Major strategic weakness
Would matter later
Can't maneuver
Geography constrains them
Abdali has advantage

2. The Nizam Betrayal

The Pattern:

Lose battle → agree to treaty
Marathas leave → break treaty
"What are you gonna do?"

Why It Works:

Marathas in hurry
Bigger priority (north)
Can't enforce
Nizam knows it
Takes advantage

The Frustration:

Bhau feels bad
Knows it's wrong
But can't do anything
Priorities force choice
Northern crisis > Nizam treaty

3. Raghunath Rao's Pride

The Demand:

Lead or don't go
Won't be second fiddle
All or nothing

The Reality:

Nanasaheb says no
So he stays back
But useful anyway
Watching Nizam
Keeping Karnataka secure

The Subtext:

Ego prevents participation
Major commander absent
Because of pride
Weakens northern campaign
But someone needs to watch south

4. The 19-Year-Old Commander

The Theory:

Vishwas Rao is namesake leader
Gets experience
Being groomed
For future

The Reality:

Bhau is real leader
Everyone knows it
Vishwas Rao defers to him
Doesn't have experience

The Purpose:

Training
Succession planning
Shows authority
Decision-making practice

The Tragedy:

Most handsome man in India
19 years old
Will die at Panipat
Afghans want to preserve him
Display in Kabul
Lost potential

5. The Mughal Resurrection Promise

The Strategy:

Promise to resurrect Mughals
Keep as namesake emperor
Everyone comfortable with them
Been there 300 years

Why It Matters:

Prevents power vacuum
Prevents infighting
"Devil you know"
Suraj Mal won't claim throne
Suja won't claim throne
Marathas won't claim throne
Mughals acceptable to all

The Reality:

Mughals "almost Indian" now
Originally outsiders
But 300 years = belong
One of us
Should protect them

6. The Summer Gamble

The Hope:

Maybe Abdali will leave
Like he always does
Can't stand the heat
Army not used to it
Will go home

The Reality:

This time: staying
Breaking his pattern
Willing to endure summer
Shows: serious commitment
Not just raid
Real campaign

The Implication:

Battle inevitable
Can't wait him out
Will have to fight
In worst conditions
Peak summer

7. Holkar's Guerrilla Wisdom

What He's Doing:

Surgical strikes
Hit and run
Harassment
Not frontal battle

Why:

Doesn't have courage for frontal
Doesn't have resources
Too much to ask
But can still be useful

The Pattern:

Smart tactics
Recognizes limits
Doesn't seek glory
Just does damage
Stays alive

8. The Time Pressure

The Constant:

No time to enforce Nizam treaty
No time to wait for Abdali to leave
No time for deliberation
Urgent, urgent, urgent

The Cost:

Makes worse decisions
Can't address problems
Can't build alliances properly
Rushing
Mistakes accumulate

9. The Afghan Technique Advantage

What Abdali Has:

River crossing technique
Mastered it
Can cross:
- Sindhu
- Jhelum
- Five rivers
- Yamuna
- With elephants, camels, horses, cannons, thousands of people

What Marathas Don't Have:

Takes one month to cross tributary
Completely inept
No technique
No training
Major handicap

Why It Matters:

Mobility
Flexibility
Strategic advantage
Can maneuver
Marathas can't

10. The Namesake vs. Real Power

The Official Structure:

Vishwas Rao: commander in chief
Has decision-making power
Sovereign

The Real Structure:

Bhau: actual leader
Makes decisions
Vishwas Rao defers to him
Everyone knows it

Why the Pretense:

Training Vishwas Rao
Shows authority structure
Political messaging
Succession planning
But doesn't fool anyone

Critical Insights

The One Month River Crossing

The Numbers:

30 days
For tributary
Not major river
During monsoon (worst time)

What It Shows:

Complete lack of preparation
No training
No technique
No equipment
Fundamental weakness

The Comparison:

Abdali: crossed 5+ major rivers
Easily
With massive force
Marathas: can't cross tributary
In one month

The Implication:

Not ready for northern campaign
Geography will defeat them
Before enemy does
Fundamental incompetence

The Abdali Stays Decision

Why It Changes Everything:

Pattern: Abdali always leaves for summer
This time: staying
Shows: committed
Not just raid
Real war
Willing to suffer

The Impact:

Hope collapses
Battle inevitable
Can't wait him out
Must fight
Peak summer
Worst conditions

The Money:

Moneylenders won't lend
If Abdali leaving: safe bet
If Abdali staying: 50-50
Too risky
Wait and see
Marathas starved of funds

The Training vs. Reality Gap

The Plan:

Vishwas Rao gets experience
Under Bhau's tutelage
Learn leadership
Make decisions
Ready to succeed Nanasaheb

The Reality:

19 years old
Not enough experience
Will defer to Bhau
In crisis: Bhau decides

The Problem:

If Bhau dies
Who leads?
19-year-old with limited experience
In middle of battle
Recipe for disaster

What Happens:

Both die at Panipat
Army collapses
No leadership
Total rout
Training incomplete

The Nizam Lesson

The Pattern:

Fight Nizam
Win
Make treaty
Leave (urgently)
Nizam breaks treaty
Can't enforce

The Lesson:

Treaties without enforcement = worthless
Nizam knows they'll leave
Waits them out
Returns to old ways
They can't do anything

The Application:

Same will happen with everyone
Make promises
Can't enforce
When leave north
Promises meaningless
Need permanent presence

The Raghunath Rao Absence

What He Brings:

Experience
Senior leadership
Northern knowledge (some)
Major commander

Why He's Not There:

Pride
Won't be second fiddle
All or nothing

The Cost:

Major commander absent
Bhau alone at top
Less experience in north
Weaker leadership team

The Irony:

Staying to watch Nizam
But Nizam breaking treaty anyway
So his presence doesn't matter much
Could be more useful in north

The Handsome Trophy Plan

The Afghan Thinking:

Vishwas Rao so handsome
So young
Preserve body
Display in Kabul
Like trophy

What It Shows:

Dehumanization
Trophy warfare
Display of victory
Intimidation tactic
Cultural difference

The Intervention:

Kashi Raj Pandit's plea
Appeal to honor
"King of kings"
"Doesn't look good on you"
Give proper burial
Generous heart

The Success:

Apparently worked
Didn't preserve/display
Shows: some honor code exists
Can appeal to it
Suja's influence helped

The Mughal Comfort Blanket

Why Keep Mughals:

Familiar
300 years
Everyone comfortable
No infighting

The Logic:

Get rid of Mughals → power vacuum
Everyone wants throne
Suraj Mal, Suja, Marathas, etc.
Infighting begins
Chaos

The Solution:

Keep Mughals (namesake)
No one threatens others
Acceptable to all
Peace maintained

The Irony:

Fighting to "protect" Mughals
Actually fighting for Punjab
Mughals are excuse
Real issue: territory
But useful fiction

The Jat Fighting Heritage

The Reputation:

Old community
Battle-hardened
Very good fighters
Even today

The Jat Sikhs:

Jats who converted
Still proud of Jat heritage
In Indian army
Very well known
Really the battle-hardening part

The Application:

Suraj Mal Jat
Comes from this tradition
Explains his capability
His survival
His shrewdness

What's Coming

The Situation:

Bhau marching north
Took one month to cross tributary
Nizam breaking treaty behind him
Raghunath Rao not with him (pride)
19-year-old Vishwas Rao as namesake leader
Abdali staying for summer (breaking pattern)
Battle inevitable
Money problems looming
Holkar doing guerrilla tactics

The Questions:

Can Bhau improve river crossing ability?
Will money shortage cripple campaign?
Can 19-year-old Vishwas Rao lead if needed?
Will Nizam cause problems from south?
Will Holkar's tactics help?
How will summer affect battle?

The Trajectory:

Heading toward Panipat
More river crossings ahead
More financial problems
More political problems
Battle in peak summer
Against well-supplied enemy
Everything pointing toward disaster

March-April 1760: It takes Bhau ONE MONTH to cross the Gambhir River. Not the Yamuna. Not the Narmada. Not even a major river. Just a tributary. One month. Meanwhile, Abdali has crossed the Sindhu, the Jhelum, five rivers in Punjab, the Yamuna, and made it into the Doab between Ganga and Yamuna. The Marathas are completely inept at river crossings. This is a fundamental weakness that will matter. Behind him, the Nizam is already breaking the treaty. "What are you gonna do? You're in a hurry, you have a big thing up north, screw you." Raghunath Rao refused to come because his pride wouldn't let him be second fiddle. So he's staying back to watch the Nizam, who's breaking treaties anyway. The 19-year-old Vishwas Rao is namesake commander in chief - most handsome man in entire India - but everyone knows Bhau is really in charge. And then at Mawa, the intel comes in: Abdali is staying for summer. Breaking his pattern. This time it's real. The battle is inevitable. The hope collapses. One month to cross a tributary. And they're heading north to fight the man who can cross five rivers with elephants and cannons.