Panipat is a city situated in Haryana offering a rich taste of Indian heritage. The battles of Panipat are a big part of Indian history and are time and again mentioned in history textbooks as well. Perhaps it is one of the reasons why Panipat is famous among tourists even today.
The three significant wars that were fought in and around the city of Panipat made this place and innate part of the Indian medieval history. Other than that, the city is also known for its textiles and is named as The City of Weavers or The Textile City. Some famous landmarks of the city are Ibrahim Lodhi’s Tomb, Kala Amb, Bab-i-Faiz Gate, Hemus Samadhi Sthal, and Panipat Museum.
Summer can be really hot in Haryana, hence winter is the best time to visit Panipat. Choose the months between November to February to enjoy the entire trip and explore the place to the fullest for an unforgettable experience.
History of Panipat
Panipat is known for its battles that played a significant role in shaping the future of India, its rulers, and their respective dynasties. If folklore is to be believed, then, the city of Panipat was established by Pandav brothers during Mahabharata. The ancient name of Panipat was Panduprastha which was taken from two words. Pandu was the name of the father of the five Pandavas and Prastha means a city which together meant the city of Pandu.
Medieval History of Panipat
The first battle in Panipat was fought in 1526 between Timurid Babur and Ibrahim Lodhi. The battle marked the beginning of the Mughal empire in India and the end of the Lodhi kingdom (Delhi Sultanate).
The second battle was fought in 1556 between Mughal emperor Akbar and Hindu Samrat Vikramaditya (Hemu). In the battle, Vikramaditya was defeated by Akbar’s army. After the battle, Akbar participated in a chain of battles and won each and every single one of them, thus, almost ruling entire India. During his reign, he was considered as one of the most celebrated rulers of India who did many good deeds for his people and gave every religion its required space to flourish.
The third battle in Panipat was fought in 1761 between Ahmad Shah Abdali and the Maratha empire. The third battle of Panipat is known in history for the heavy casualty of human life and money. Ahmad Shah won the battle against Marathas, which was followed by the beginning of the British era in the Indian political system.
Today, Panipat is a popular tourist spot specifically for youngsters because they get to read a lot about Panipat in their history books. Apart from its rich history, Panipat is visited by Hindu pilgrims for its Devi temple and many other popular sites.
Major Attractions in and Around Panipat
1. Kabuli Bagh Mosque
The garden and the mosque were conceptualized by Babur to celebrate his victory over Ibrahim Lodhi. He made this mosque in the name of his wife Musammat Kabuli Begum. It is a popular tourist attraction in the city of Panipat as the place speaks a lot about history and the Mughal rule.
2. Ibrahim Lodhi’s Tomb
Ibrahim Lodhi was defeated in the first battle of Panipat by Babur. Legends have it that Babur defeated Lodhi with a much smaller army than that of Ibrahim Lodhi’s. The battle was significant in many ways as it established the Mughal rule in India.
3. Hemu’s Samadhi Sthal
During the second battle of Panipat Hemu, the Hindu king who was also known as Chandra Vikramaditya was beheaded by Bairam Khan, a senior army official and confidant of Akbar. Folk tales and documents from that era claim that Hemu’s head was sent to Kabul and his body was sent to Purana Quila in Delhi to terrorize people and establish the Mughal rule. Today, a memorial lies in Shodpur village in the memory of the Hindu king.
4. Kala Amb
It is a historic yet significant place in the city of Panipat. It was the spot where the third war of Panipat was fought back in 1761. People visit this place quite often for its peaceful environment and to also explore the history of the place.
5. Historic Sites and Local Markets
Taking a tour of the historical sites of the city is a must-do. Panipat is home to many tombs, mosques, temples, and monuments that still carry the old charm. Apart from that, shopping is extremely engaging as there are a lot of local markets with tons of handloom and textile products. Chaura Bazar, Main Bazar, Jawahar Cloth Market are a few markets that one must explore if in Panipat.
How to Reach Panipat
Panipat is well connected by roadway, railway, and airway routes to all parts of India. The city is 90 km from the capital of India, Delhi and is 169 km from the state capital, Chandigarh. Tourists from across the country and abroad travel to Panipat all year round. Panipat is located at a rough distance of 90, 1,500, 1,600, and 2,200 km from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Here is how you can travel to Panipat by the following means of public transportation.
By Air
Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is the nearest airport to reach Panipat. From the airport, one has to take a taxi or a bus to further cover a distance of approx 100km. The airport receives direct and connecting flights from all parts of the country and abroad hence travelling to Delhi's IGI will not be a problem.
Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Panipat
By Rail
Panipat Junction railway station is where you have to deboard the train to explore the city. Trains from all major cities and states of India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Pune, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata arrive at the station. From the station, one may take any locally available transport like a taxi, a bus or an auto to reach the desired location in Panipat. Himalayan Queen, Intercity Express and Jhelum Express are a few popular trains on which seats can be reserved.
By Road
Travelling by road can be time-consuming but its the best way to travel to any destination. One gets to witness the natural beauty that surrounds the place and take the less-travelled local roads. And if your destination is in India then you also get to savour desi food at roadside Dhabas and witness the village life and farms during the road journey. You can take the inter-state tourist bus to reach Panipat or may even take your personal bike/car to reach the city.
Frequently Asked Questions about Panipat
Q. What are the top tourist attractions in Panipat?
A. Some of the top tourist attractions in Panipat include Panipat Museum, Ibrahim Lodi tomb, Kala Amb war memorial, and Shri Krishna temple.
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here
