The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c21.189

v4.c21.189

It now looked as if the battle was going against the Afghāns. Their right flank was turned and their centre was broken: only on their left were they holding their own. Here Najīb-ud-daula was facing his old enemy, Jānkojī Sindia. Anticipating modern methods, he advanced by short rushes, his men halting to “dig themselves in”, and the sappers throwing up field-breastworks, while the Marāthā formations were broken up by salvos of rockets. From dawn to midday the engagement raged with the utmost fury, and at any moment the line might give way. But the Abdālī knew that the commander who throws in his reserves last wins. The psychological moment had now come. He brought up his fresh reserves, and at the same time sent military police to whip up, on pain of death, the stragglers who were dribbling away to the rear, and to call up the troops left to guard the camp. He then posted 4000 men to cover his right, sent 10,000 to Shāh Walī Khān, with orders for him to charge with the sword in close order at full gallop, and issued direc-tions to Pasand Khān and Najīb-ud-daula to take the Marāthā centre in flank, as soon as he saw the minister’s troops on the move. Meanwhile, the mounted infantry galloped along the enemy’s line, firing from their saddles into the close ranks of the enemy.