1761 in India

The year 1761 in India was marked by significant political and military developments, notably the Third Battle of Panipat, which occurred on January 14. This pivotal conflict was fought between the Maratha Empire and the Durrani Empire led by Ahmad Shah Durrani. The battle resulted in a devastating defeat for the Marathas, drastically altering the power dynamics in the subcontinent and leading to a decline in Maratha influence. The aftermath facilitated the rise of the British East India Company, which capitalized on the ensuing power vacuum. Throughout the year, regional powers and princely states, notably Hyderabad and Bengal, continued to navigate the shifting landscape of alliances and conflicts, setting the stage for future colonial expansion.