Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c27.s16.8

v2.c27.s16.8

Three days later, while the ritual-loving Hindus were disorganized by the lunar eclipse due that night, the Durrani wazir in the course of his daily patrol came to a large well (*bāoli*),* evidently south-west of Pānipat, immediately in front of the Maratha right wing. It was near sunset, and no engagement being expected that day he had kept only a small escort with him. While he was inspecting the well, the troops of Sindhia from their trenches opposite recognized him as a chief, and taking advantage of his unguarded condition, made a sortie in full force and attacked him. A desperate battle joined amidst deafening shouts and a dense cloud of dust which hid friend from foe. The wazir held his ground against such tremendous odds, though he began to lose men very fast. After a time reinforcements came up from the rear and rescued him, his assailants chasing him up to a gunshot of the Afghan trenches and retreating with the setting of the sun. The wazir's casualties were about 600, and that of the Marathas about half the number. The Marathas captured over a hundred of his horses and boasted that but for nightfall they would have crushed him.*