The Marathas and the king of Afghanistan, Ahmad Shah Abdali, fought to claim the throne of Delhi. While the face-off had stretched on for months on the elevated flat land of Panipat, the actual conflict took place on 14 January 1761. 150,000 soldiers lost their lives, and about 80,000 horses, bullocks and elephants were slaughtered. The Maratha warriors and their allies defied the bitter cold of the north and months of starvation, fighting to the last man. The campaign brought the Maratha empire to its knees, emptying out its coffers and decimating an entire generation. This battle most horrific has dazzled generations of historians. Its tactics, ingenious battle formations and fortifications, its reputation as the supreme war of wits has kept the third battle of Panipat alive in public memory. But a war is not only glory and splendour. It is fought by flesh-and-blood people who come alive in Vishwas Patil's Panipat.