Panipat, January 14
There was little sense of history in the scruffy town here today. People had better things to do than remember that Friday marked the 250th anniversary of the Third Battle of Panipat. Most residents remained oblivious to the enormity of the occasion. Nor was there much effort either to commemorate one of the fiercest battles fought anywhere in the 18th century, a battle that arguably changed the course of the country’s history.

Panipat, steeped in history, today carries little or no reminder of the historic battle that involved 1,25,000 soldiers on both sides. The defeat of the Marathas, led by a Muslim general and trained by the French, by the army of Ahmad Shah Abdali prepared the ground for the gradual take-over of the country by the East India Company.

A war memorial was formally inaugurated in 1992. But the memorial and the museum at Ugrakheri, 7 km from Panipat, draw few visitors and even less attention to its upkeep. There is no signpost or signboards to direct visitors to the memorial, not just in the town but anywhere in the region. No wonder visitors remain oblivious to their existence.

The monument and the museum, occupying 6.5 acres, which once boasted of an artificial lake, a good lawn, benches and swings, are now with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). But with no political pressure or popular interest, the ASI, which could have done so much to give it a facelift, a light and sound show for starters, has remained largely indifferent.

Despite the obvious neglect, the museum does boast of enlarged photographs of a large number of miniatures depicting the battles, obtained from various sources including the National Museum of New Delhi, The British Library and the Victoria and Albert Museum of London. Also exhibited are inscriptions, sculptures, arms and armour, pottery, documents and jewellery along with maps, write-ups and photographs.

Photocopies of documents and handwritten letters concerning the battles and procured from the National Archives, the Government of Maharashtra, Rampur Raja Library and Library of the Aligarh Muslim University are also on display.