Ibrahim Khan Gardi

Ibrahim Khan
Ibrahim Khan (left) with Sadashivrao Bhau (center)
Died	1761 Panipat, India
Allegiance	Maratha Empire
Commands held	Third Battle of Panipat
Battles/wars	Third Battle of Panipat

Ibrahim Khan (died 1761) was a Dakhani Muslim general in the 18th century India. An expert in artillery, he initially served the Nizam of Hyderabad, before working for the Peshwa of the Maratha Empire. As a general of the Maratha Empire, he commanded a force of 10,000 men, infantry and artillery. He was captured and killed by the Afghans during the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761.

Ibrahim Khan was an expert in artillery and was in service of Nizam of Hyderabad. He was in the services of Nizam Ali and was highly attached to him and had participated in the Battle of Palkhed against the Marathas in which the Marathas won.

Trained to the French discipline as commandant de la garde to Bussy, Ibrahim bore the title, or nickname, of "Khan," a souvenir of his professional origin or title. Originally part of the Hyderabad Nizam's army, consisting of a number of Telegus. His troops' military prowess and artillery tactics were considered a great advantage in various campaigns. Captured in the Third Battle of Panipat, he is alleged to have been tortured horribly before his death by his Afghan captors. His extreme sense of loyalty to his master Sadashivrao Bhau even when some of the Maratha generals deserted Sadashivrao Bhau's army during the thick of battle and escaped unhurt to their Jahagirs in Deccan, Ibrahim Khan fought to his end and was captured only when all his famed Maratha musketeers laid down their lives, one by one, or simply vanished during the night of 14 January 1761 when darkness fell on the battlefield. Some of Ibrahim Khan artillery detachment with infantry and musketeers kept on fighting while defending their positions until sunset to escape in the darkness of night. To this date, some of the Pardhi communities' folklore have various songs in praise of Ibrahim Khan as well as Suleiman Khan Gardhi.