History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v2.c22.66

v2.c22.66

At once all was over with him. A little before this, while he was busy trying to force his way to Aurangzib’s side, “during the hottest of the fight, some Imperial commanders who had stood idle and many who by hiding themselves in holes had received no hurt in the battle, had fled." And now his remaining troops, scattered far and near over the field, saw that his *hawda* was empty and concluded that their master had fallen. For whom should they fight any longer? Already they were half dead with yesterday's fruitless toil in the field, today's march and fight in raging thirst and under a burning sun from dawn till near sunset. To fill up the cup of their misery, a desolating hot wind sprang up and struck Dara's fainting troops in the face. "Most of his officers and men, without strength to ply arrow or spear, with thirsty lips and parched tongues cried *Oh the thirst! Oh the thirst!* and gave up the ghost on all sides of the field." Staying in such a place was no longer possible. The Imperial army had been only waiting for a decent pretext for flight, and the sudden disappearance of Dara from the back of his elephant gave them the wished for opportunity. At once the whole army broke up into small confused groups and fled from the field in the utmost disorder.