Correct Option (A):
Ahmad Shah Abdali's fifth invasion of India in 1759, which culminated in the Third Battle of Panipat, was immediately triggered by the Maratha expulsion of his son, Timur Shah, from Lahore. The Marathas had extended their influence into Punjab, a region previously under Durrani control, thereby challenging Abdali's authority and prestige.
Incorrect Options:
Option 2 is incorrect. While Adina Beg Khan, the governor of Jalandhar, was involved in the complex political landscape of Punjab and had invited Abdali in earlier instances, he was not the immediate reason for Abdali's 1759 invasion leading to the Third Battle of Panipat. In fact, Adina Beg Khan had initially sought Maratha assistance against Abdali's forces.
Option 3 is incorrect. Disputes regarding the non-payment of revenues from the Chahar Mahal (Gujarat, Aurangabad, Sialkot, and Pasrur) were a recurring point of contention between the Durrani Empire and the Mughal administration. However, this long-standing financial grievance was not the immediate cause for Abdali's 1759 invasion.
Option 4 is incorrect. While the annexation of the fertile plains of Punjab was a broader strategic objective for Ahmad Shah Abdali, his immediate motivation for the 1759 invasion was to reassert his dominion over Punjab and counter the growing Maratha influence that had displaced his viceroy.