Later Mughals v1.c8.s17.15

v1.c8.s17.15

Zulfiqar Khan, on seeing the enemy opposed to him move away to one side, adopted the erroneous idea that they had abandoned the field and were in full flight. He drew rein and countermanded his attack. Many urged that as Husain Ali Khan was dead (as was then thought) and Abdullah Khan had left the field, it would be easy to decide the day by attacking Farrukh-siyar, who could have with him no more than 3,000 or 4,000 disheartened men, already more than half-inclined to take to flight. Zulfiqar Khan objected that the field of battle had been already vacated by the enemy, and that night was coming on. He would cause the drums to beat for the victory and encamp where they stood. The few of the enemy left were unable to cross the river at night, flight was barred to them in every direction. Why then trouble any further? In the morning they could take them alive at their leisure. The drums were beaten, in forgetfulness of Zal’s advice to Rustam, ‘No enemy can be counted despicable or powerless.’