Why the Sikhs Did Not Ally with the Marathas during the Third Battle of Panipat

The Lack of Treaty and Historical Context

During the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761, the Maratha Empire and the Sikh Confederacy, known as the Misls, found themselves in different camps, a situation primarily due to the lack of any formal alliance between them. At that time, Bharat (India) was still fragmented into numerous princely states, often referred to as Pradhana or Khand, each with its own ruler and independent governance.

The Maratha Empire, under the Peshwa rulers and their allies, did not have a treaty with the Sikhs. Similarly, the Misls, under the leadership of figures like Guru Gobind Singh and later the Banda Bahadur and other Sikh leaders, also did not have any formal agreements with the Marathas to aid each other in conflicts. This lack of mutual understanding and trust meant that there was no cooperation or support from either side during the Third Battle of Panipat.

The Mass Killing of Sikhs and Political Motivations

A significant event that soured relations between the Sikhs and the Peshwas was the mass killing of Sikhs that occurred in the aftermath of the Third Battle of Panipat. Following his victory, one of the Peshawar governors, Fateh Singh Said, returned Lahore to the control of a Muslim governor. Initially, it was promised that the Sikhs would be made the rulers of Lahore. However, the Peshwa, feeling that the Sikhs were not competent enough to govern Lahore, took back the city and imposed taxes on the Muslim governor.

The vindictive Muslim governor, prompted by rage and revenge, ordered a widespread massacre of Sikhs, irrespective of age and gender. This act was deeply shocking and confirmed the distrust between the two communities.

Historical Alliances and Negative Experiences

A notable exception to the general lack of alliance was Ala Singh, who allied with the Marathas during the Panipat war. He provided horses, food, and fodder to the Maratha army and even some of his soldiers. However, this support did not secure him lasting favor; after the war, Emperor Ahmed Shah Abdali attacked Ala Singh and imprisoned him. It was through the intervention of Najib and other locals that Ala Singh was eventually freed, and Abdali, as per the agreement, returned Ala Singh's jagir and title of Raja.

Attitude of the Marathas and Sikhs

The attitude of the Marathas regarding the distribution of war booty and their unwarranted interference in the internal affairs of other kingdoms played a significant role in preventing an alliance between the Sikhs and the Marathas. The Marathas had a history of troubles with the Sikhs, including demands for Chauth, a tribute taxing 25% of the earnings of other Sikh kings or Misls. This resentment among the Sikh Misls ensured that they kept their distance from the Marathas during critical times.

Another instance involved Ranjit Singh's desperate plea for help from the Maratha chief Daulat Rao Sindhia against the Afghan invaders. Despite the dire situation, the Maratha chief ignored Ranjit Singh's message and left him to fend for himself. Similarly, when Jaswant Rao Holkar sought Sikh assistance in 1785 against British East India Company (EIC), Maharaja Ranjit Singh ordered Holkar to cross the Sutlej River immediately.

Conclusion

The lack of an alliance between the Marathas and the Sikhs during the Third Battle of Panipat can be attributed to a combination of historical animosities, the absence of a formal treaty, and the negative experiences on both sides. The events of the past, including the mass killings and the unequal distribution of war spoils, demonstrated that mutual trust and cooperation were not established between these two powers. As events unfolded, dynamics shifted, but the fundamental lack of trust and the historical context continued to shape their interactions.