History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v2.c22.20

v2.c22.20

At last the eventful 29th of May arrived. Long before the early dawn of the Indian midsummer, there was the stir of preparation and movement in both the camps. Squadron after squadron was formed in battle array and marched out to take up its appointed position. Hearing of Aurangzib's advance, Dara marshalled his ranks on a wide sandy plain, two miles in front of his camp, His army numbered about 50,000. Its backbone was composed of the Rajput contingent and Dara's own retainers, all devoted to his interests. But nearly half of his army belonged to the Emperor's service, and these could not be relied on. Most of their captains made a show of fighting, but took care not to put forth earnest effort or to run into danger, and several of their chiefs, notably Khalilullah Khan, were rightly suspected of having been corrupted by Aurangzib.