Panipat

Panipat, in Haryana, is an ancient and historic city located on the Grand Trunk Road, about 90 km north of Delhi. Tradition links it to the Mahabharata era as one of the five prasthas founded by the Pandavas, then known as Panduprastha. Over time Panipat became famous as the site of three decisive battles that changed the course of Indian history. The First Battle of Panipat (1526) between Babur and Ibrahim Lodhi led to the foundation of the Mughal Empire. The Second Battle (1556) saw Akbar’s forces defeat Hemu, securing Mughal rule in North India. The Third Battle (1761) between the Marathas and Ahmad Shah Abdali checked Maratha expansion and created a major political vacuum in northern India. Under the Mughals and later the British, Panipat remained a significant town near Delhi. After Independence it formed part of Punjab until 1966, when Haryana was created. Panipat district was carved out of Karnal in 1989 and finally re-established as a separate district in 1992, with the city as its headquarters. Today Panipat is also known as the “City of Weavers” and a major textile and carpet centre.