History of the Qaraunah Turks in India c11.296.4

c11.296.4

A careful study of these transactions reveals clearly the inefficiency of military generalship. The strength of a state depends not upon the vastness of territories under its control, nor on the numbers that it can put in the field of battle, but upon the morale of the people. Accustomed to the easy life at court, the Musalman had lost his old stamina, and although a few flickering lights were seen, there were no generals of consummate ability like Kafūr and ‘Ulugh Khan. The imperialists lacked initiative and enterprise and too much dependence upon the Sultan rendered their movements overcautious and dilatory. Never was the offensive boldly assumed during the Deccan revolt; every time a diversion was made to deal with a minor and a subsidiary objective, which caused a waste of energy and achieved no substantial results. None was capable of discerning the realities of the situation and none was clear-sighted enough to foresee the consequences of such tactics. Personally strong and capable, the Sultan was not assisted by able men and all his military plans betrayed the limitations of his strategy, lack of unity of command, and more of improvisation than a studied and dexterous manœuvre to counteract the enemy’s designs. Throughout the long struggle the Sultan fought single-handed and pathetically strove to overcome the opposition in all quarters. The provinces sent no help;