A Non Fiction account of the campaign of the Third Battle of Panipat between the Afghans led by Ahmed Shah Abdali and the Maratha confederacy led by Sadashiv rao Bhau, fought on 14 january 1761 at Panipat. The book begins in the era after the death of Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707 and gives a detailed account of an interesting and authentic account of the events leading upto 14 January 1761. This is the fiercest battle of the eighteenth century and marked a possible turning point in the History of India. The book has 33 illustrations including30 colour illustrations on art pages with reproductions of several 18th and 19th century original paintings from museums and libraries the world over. Nearly 27 maps take the reader on a journey to a gripping climax helping to understand the geo-political aspects of the campaign and the battle. Genealogies, Timeline, References, Glossary, Bibliography, Index make it easy to trace specific events and understand the details. A section gives details about the over one hundred principal characters in the story. Eleven appendices give valuable and interesting information dating to the 18th century. A Foreword by eminent historian Ninad Bedekar, known for his grasp on the events of Panipat 1761 and glowing tributes by many authorities in the subject make it a book that is a complete, authentic and definitive non-fiction account of the biggest battle of the eighteenth century.

About the author
Uday S. Kulkarni is a Surgeon by training and practises his art in Pune, India. His interest in History dates to his school days. His grand father was a teacher of History and he was introduced to the basic tenets of History at a very young age.

He is an alumnus of the prestigious Armed Forces Medical College at Pune, did his post graduation in Surgery from the then Bombay University and served in the Defence forces for sixteen years before voluntary retirement in 1995.

On return to Pune, he completed a post graduate Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Journalism at the University of Pune with Distinction, standing first in the University. While continuing to work as a Surgeon, he wrote articles in several publications as he gradually returned to his love for History.

In 2009, Uday S. Kulkarni began research on the Third battle of Panipat, an event of national importance. In October 2010, he visited Delhi, Panipat, Gauripur, Kunjpura, Shukratal, Najibabad and Pathar garh; where the events of 1759-61 took place. He then began writing this book, which he completed in January 2011, around the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the battle.

In Pune, the author continues the practice of Surgery while he pursues his interest in History. Further books are planned, and these promise many interesting years of research and writing in the future.