With the release of the film Panipat a controversy has erupted, the central question being the role of Maharaja Surajmal and why he did not fight the third Battle of Panipat resulting in a humiliating defeat for the Marathas.
Panipat Controversy - Why Maharaja Surajmal didn't fight the Third Battle of Panipat
Ahmed Shah Abdali
After the death of Shah Alamgir II, there were two rival nobles at the Delhi court, Ghazi Uddin and Nazibudaulah. Some dissident courtiers invited Ahmed Shah Abdali from Kabul to counter Ghazi Uddin. With the help of these accomplices, Ahmed Shah Abdali succeeded in removing Ghazi Uddin from Wazarat, and obtained one crore of rupees as indemnity. On 29th June 1757 Ahmed Shah Abdali sat on throne of Delhi and issued coins in his name. Ghazi Uddin with his friends sought asylum at Bharatpur.
Ahmed Shah Abdali wrote to Maharaja Surajmal to pay a fine of Rs one crore or be ready for war...