WI: Marathas win the Battle of Panipat 1761?

What if the Marathas defeated the Afghans at Panipat? Could the Maratha Empire maintain its hegemony over most of the subcontinent and see off the threat from the East India Company? How would this affect future effects at colonisation, would most of India be able to retain its independence from colonial rule?
 
Maybe, but as many, including the Afghans themselves said, the Maratha soldiers were fierce, but their leadership decidedly less so. If they defeat the Afghans, they do continue on their expansionist drive, though, so the British might not have the same opportunity to expand as they did OTL. Bengal, for the moment, however would continue to be under British rule, but certainly other Indian states would survive. I'd put my money on the Marathas dissolving into independent states at some point, however.
 
Maybe, but as many, including the Afghans themselves said, the Maratha soldiers were fierce, but their leadership decidedly less so. If they defeat the Afghans, they do continue on their expansionist drive, though, so the British might not have the same opportunity to expand as they did OTL. Bengal, for the moment, however would continue to be under British rule, but certainly other Indian states would survive. I'd put my money on the Marathas dissolving into independent states at some point, however.

Agreed. Maratha power was built first on opposition to Mughal rule and then on continual expansionism. As soon as that expansionism was checked (IOTL at Panipat) then their power is broken and every local governor and prince with half an army declares independence.

And no matter what happens, after 1761, the British are going to have a great deal of influence on the subcontinent, especially in Bengal.

Cheers,
Ganesha

P.S. Scindia was a really interesting character who could play a greater role with a victory at Gwalior.
 
A Maratha victory at Panipat would have not only consolidated the Maratha power in the subcontinent, but also the power of the Peshwa over the other Maratha chieftains. If the Peshwa emerge as the absolute ruler he could have consolidated the empire and show the generals like Scindia, Bhosle, Holkar and Gaikwad the places they deserved. A chain of efficient Peshwas would have been successful in maintaining the unity and independence of the Empire and their supremacy over most parts of the subcontinent.
 
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