Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c27.s14.28

v2.c27.s14.28

Kashirāj Pandit is the best authority on the campaign of Panipat, in which he was present throughout. No other author can be set against him in point of authenticity. Siyar, Nur-ud-din and other later writers give grossly exaggerated numbers—culminating in the 3½ lakhs of troops and 30,000 Gardis assigned to the Bhāu by Md. Jafar Shāmlu ! Shamlu, who was present in the battle under Shah Pasand Khān, gives that general 12,000 men. But from the fact that this writer's figures are invariably inflated to at least three times the reality, I consider it safer to reduce Shah Pasand's force to 5,000,—which was the strength of his patrol, according to the more sober Kāshirāj.