New History of the Marathas v2.c30.15

v2.c30.15

Another handicap from which the Marathas suffered arose out of the difference in the dress of the two combatants. The Marathas of the south wore their plain shirts, while the Afghans dwelling in the cold mountains of their native land were protected with a thick woollen or leather waist-coat; most of the higher men wore besides a plaited armour of iron upon which the swords and spears of the Marathas could hardly make any impression. The Abdali Shah kept his eye steadily upon the slightest move of his opponents and promptly corrected every trifling short-coming in his ranks. He allowed the Marathas to spend themselves in an initial dash, himself standing on the defensive during this stage. He patiently waited till the Marathas became completely exhausted and then brought into action at the right moment not only his reserve but also some of those who had run away and hidden themselves in the rear ranks.