Parvati Bai: The Forgotten Witness of the Battle of Panipat

Author’s Note

Dear Reader,
Panipat is a small town near Delhi. Yet, its name provokes some turbulent times in Indian history. While the first two battles of Panipat established the Mughal dynasty, the third Battle of Panipat was a critical watershed for modern India. This conflict between the invading, doughty Afghans and the determined, zealous Marathas holds dubious records. Nearly a lakh people, half of them unarmed, were massacred in only eight hours. The Afghans won the battle but just by the skin of their teeth. This was one battle that made the vanquished more famous than the victors.

In the 17th century, the Marathas were unable to plumb the depths of the complex politics prevailing in India. Multiple vested interests tried to seize short term assets out of the turmoil. This dissonance along with petty rivalries among Maratha sardars resulted in the debacle at Panipat. However, it was a tragic loss for the entire country. If the Marathas had been victorious, a Hindu Samrajya could have ruled India. The British would never have enslaved the country for the next two centuries. The Third Battle of Panipat enunciated the brilliant strategies of the Maratha general, Sadashivrao Bhau. However, his dynamic leadership was greatly influenced by Baisaheb Parvatibai, his wife, adviser, and constant companion in this difficult endeavour.

My story, Parvatibai, is fiction based on factual chronicles of this charismatic Baisaheb. Not only was she an eyewitness of the traumatic expedition but also a survivor of the cataclysmic siege and conflict. Her astute observations give unique insights into this significant historical milestone. Parvatibai, The Forgotten Witness of the Battle of Panipat is a eulogy to this brave Maratha lady’s infinite strength and substance.

Shaping Parvatibai has been the contribution of several people and my thanks go out to them. Mona Verma and Hari Ram Narayan offered valuable insights to enhance my storytelling and so did my sister, Sanghamitra Bose. I thank Anupama Joshi, from faraway USA, for validating the Marathi prose and nuances.

My gratitude to Indrani Ganguly can never be enough for her painstaking and patient editing and I love the evocative cover designed by Sourish Mitra. My publisher Dipankar Mukherjee’s constant encouragement has navigated many a hurdle.

And yes, my dear, dear Reader! My greatest appreciation goes out to you for reading Parvatibai. I hope this tale fascinates you as much as its telling has enthralled me.

Prologue

Panipat, 14 January 1761

The Pancha Mahabhuta are five universal elements that comprise life in all creatures from the tiniest beetle to the gigantic whale. On that chilly winter morning, the Mahabhuta were stunned to observe the vast legions Mankind had amassed for annihilation.

Fire burning fiercely in the sun dithered to cover the earth with its blinding, purifying light. It was appalled and awed by the sheer audacity of man’s valour. Mankind’s dazzling glory shamed even the inferno’s golden flames.

Air crackled with the electric energy of a thousand human souls heaving with emotions. Anger and fear, loyalty and deceit, courage and cowardice spiralled upwards into the taut, strained cosmos.

Water hung unseen in swirling mists. It rose from the dew-wet leaves, grass, and thick foliage reflecting in the sweat dripping off barebodied warriors whose fists gripped deadly weapons.

Earth was pounded into muddy clods by thundering hoofs and marching feet. Readied for seeding, the fields would soon be steeped in blood. Winter clay cracked into fine fissured webs, but Earth’s agony was futile.

Space filled all dimensions and voided the souls of men soon to be lost in oblivion. Desolation of impending death isolated man from man though they stood as one army.

Observing Mankind’s folly, the mourning Pancha Mahabhuta prepared to receive the five elements of life soon to be released as innumerable multitudes would disintegrate. But the Pancha Mahabhuta were not permitted to indulge in grief; their obligation was to ensure balance was retained in Nature despite human senselessness.

Life must survive Death.