Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c27.s18.1

v2.c27.s18.1

During the two and a half months' leaguer of Pānipat, the Shāh had received some reinforcements from home. The new arrivals, both men and horses, untouched by the Indian summer and strangers to the scarcity and sickness which had afflicted their brethren during the past twelve months' campaign and cantoning, were in the pink of condition. The Afghan army totalled 60,000 men, nearly half of this number being the Shāh's own subjects (23,000 horse and 7,000 foot) and the other half his Indian allies (7,000 horse and 23,000 foot.) The Durrani divisions, thanks to the iron discipline and constant exercise enforced by their chief, moved like one man at the will of the Shāh, while the preponderance of cavalry among them (three to one) and their superior horses, made them a match for more than double their number of Indian troops.