History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v2.c22.52

v2.c22.52

At the very beginning of the battle, as soon as Rustam Khan and Chhatra Sal had charged with his Left Wing and Van, Dara quitted his position in the Centre, rode through his artillery, and went towards Aurangzib's Right Wing in order to support Rustam Khan. No more fatal mistake could have been committed. Enveloped in a cloud of dust and smoke, whirled along with a dense body of cavalry within range of the enemy's guns, he virtually abdicated his position as a general and became a mere divisional commander. He could no longer survey the whole field and control the battle. His troops at once lost the one supreme leader who could have directed their movements aright with every fresh development of the action, given unity to their efforts, and sent reinforcements where most needed. At once “everything fell into confusion”.