Top three battles which changed the history of Indian Subcontinent

In history we see many battles. Some were very important regarding their outcome and impact on history, some were important but didn't have a long term effect. Here I will discuss about three battles. In my view these battles changed the history of Indian subcontinent.

3. 2nd Battle of Panipat (1556) : This battle was fought between young Mughal Emperor Akbar and Hemchandra, the Hindu king of Delhi. This battle was crucial for the Mughal Empire to solidify their rule in India. After death of Sher Shah Suri, Mughal emperor Humayun came back to India and retook Delhi from Suri Empire but before he could proceed further died in an accident. His son Akbar was still under age. So, his friend Bairam Khan placed Akbar in the throne and ruled as his guardian. Hemchandra was minister of Suri Empire. After taking back Delhi from Mughals he declared himself as independent king.  Both armies came face to face in Panitpat (Near Delhi). Akabr's Army was outnumbered and Hemchandra attacked them with so much ferocity that Mughal army was nearly routed. When victory looked in the grasp of Hemchandra an arrow struck him in the eye and he fell from his elephant. His soldiers panicked by that incident and routed. That arrow saved the day for Akbar. Hemchandra was captured and beheaded. 

Mughal Emperor Akbar

This battle was vital because it delivered Mughals what 1st Panipat (1526) couldn't deliver. It gave Mughal Empire the strong foothold in India on which it flourished for another two centuries.  

2. 3rd Battle of Panipat (1761) : This battle was fought between Ahmad Shah Abdali of Afghans and his allies (Nazib ud Daulah of Rohilakhand and Nawab of Lucknow Suja ud Daulah) against Sadashibrao Bhau of Maratha Confederacy. This battle didn't decide who would rule India. It decided who would not rule India.

After Abdali invaded India, Peshwa Balaji Bajirao of Maratha Confederacy sent a big army under command of Sadashibrao Bhau to stop him. The army marched towards Delhi. Other Maratha leaders like Holkars and Sindhias joined with their armies. Both Army came face to face near Yamuna river. That time Yamuna river was nearly impossible to cross. So, two armies camped on  both sides of the river. But Abdali was desperate to cross the river. So, he crossed and emerged behind the Marathas and cut their supply line. After few failed attempts to break the siege, demoralized and starved Maratha army faced Abdali near Panipat. 

Ahmad Shah Abdali

The battle was a disaster for Marathas. Their entire army crushed and only a few managed to flee the battlefield. Sadashibrao Bhau and Bajirao's eldest son Biswas Rao died in battle.

Marathas never fully recovered from this defeat.  Their prestige and power reduced massively. Though under Peshwa Madhav Rao I it started recovery but his untimely death shattered the dream to build a Maratha Empire and replace weakened Mughal Empire. 

1. Battle of Plassey (1757) : This battle was fought between Robert Clive of British East India Company and Nawab of Bengal Siraj ud Daulah and his French allies. This battle is famous in history as the first major victory and foundation pillar of future British empire in India.

This was not a full scale battle actually. Because a major portion of Nawab's army under general Mir Jafar didn't fight in the battle. It was a part of the conspiracy. Some aristocrats and Mir Jafar were already conspiring against Nawab with East India Company. Their goal was to dethrone Siraj and replace him with Mir Jafar as Company's puppet. So, when battle started major portion of Nawab's army under Mir Jafar didn't take part in it. Clive won an easy victory. Siraj fled the battlefield but later captured and killed. Mir Jafar became Nawab but main power laid in the hands of the East India Company. They became the king maker. Later Company got the right from Mughal emperor to act as the ruler of Bengal, Bihar and Orisha. 

Robert Clive

If East India Company lost that battle of Plassey, there may not be any British Indian Empire. They got the stronghold in Bengal by that victory and later conquered whole India.

So these are my top three picks. Which are your top three? Please comment.