Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c7.s5.2

v1.c7.s5.2

A revolution had taken place in the method of Indian warfare since the beginning of the 18th century. In the wars of Aurangzib's heirs artillery had been the decisive factor. The old tumultuous rush of a horde of Rajput desperadoes or regular charge by the heavy armour-clad Mughal cavalry, which formerly used to sweep away every obstacle from before them, was now a thing of the past; its military value was gone except in very rare and accidental combinations of favourable circumstances. Then musketry made a rapid advance. Nādir Shāh's success showed the irresistible power of mobile musketry, —whether matchlocks in the hands of mounted men or long pieces (swivels) carried on camels. Alivardi Khān's campaigns also demonstrated the value of musketry fire when properly directed. Even swift-rushing infantry, called *barqāndāzes*, firing their pieces and acting in concert, had proved victorious over superior bodies of extremely light cavalry armed with the old sword and lance.