Final answer:
Ranjit Singh defeated Ahmed Shah Durrani, marking a significant shift in power in the Punjab region through the early 19th century. Other historical conflicts also shaped India, including those involving Muhammad of Ghur, Shivaji, Chinggis Khan, and the British East India Company.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individual who defeated Ahmed Shah Durrani is Ranjit Singh. Ahmed Shah Durrani, also known as Ahmad Shah Abdali, was the founder of the Durrani Empire and is often regarded as the founder of the modern state of Afghanistan. Over time, Durrani's empire faced several threats and eventually encountered the rising power of the Sikh Empire under the leadership of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. In the early 19th century, Ranjit Singh managed to seize control of several fortresses and areas that were once part of Durrani's domain, most notably in the region of Punjab. Ranjit Singh's victories over Durrani's forces marked a significant shift of power in the region.
To relate this to other historical conflicts in the region: in the twelfth century, Muhammad of Ghur established a Muslim state at Delhi, which lasted over three centuries. Later, leaders such as Shivaji successfully opposed Mughal forces, and even the Mongols led by Chinggis Khan made incursions into the province of Khurasan. Ultimately, British and Indian forces under the East India Company also played a significant role in altering the political landscape of India by defeating various local empires, including Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II's forces at Buxar.