A well-known place where the Third Battle of Panipat had
been fought, Kala Amb is situated at 8 kms. away from Panipat city. There is an
interesting story behind the name Kala Amb. The Marathas came to North India
with a belief of changing Indian polity forever. Like Ibrahim Lodhi, the
Marathas were guilty of antagonizing all potential friends and allies as well.
There was a clash between Maratha forces and the Afghan army. The Maratha force
was surrounded by Afghan adversaries, more over, their lines of supply and
reinforcement were cut off. The total number of casualties of Marathas were as
high as 75,000, including senior commanders and Peshwa’s son. The battle field
was full of dead bodies. Today, this site is marked by the Kala Amb Park on the
outskirts of Panipat. Incredibly, people come here for a stroll in the peaceful
surroundings.In one corner of the park is a red obelisk. This marks the
spot where the Maratha commander Sadashiv Rao Bhau fell in the battle. Legend
and local tradition recount that a black mango tree stood at this spot and it
was under this tree that Bhau fought his last action. The black mango tree
exists no longer, but it has passed on its name to the park, hence the name:
Kala Amb.