Answer in a word:

What were the causes for the defeat of the Marathas in the third battle of Panipat?

There were various causes for the defeat of the Marathas in the third battle of Panipat which are as follows:-

• The focus of the Marathas was to plunder the neighboring territories. They followed the policy of aggression where they attacked other territories to bring them under their control. This led to the downfall of Maratha power.

• This policy made the people of their own religion to dislike them.

• Maratha army was inefficient and undisciplined as compared to the army of Ahmad Shah Abdali.

• Marathas were gradually losing their power which affected their regular supplies.

• After the death of the Bajirao, the Maratha leaders were weak, and they continued to rule inefficiently after the third battle of Panipat.