Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c27.s22.6

v2.c27.s22.6

Shortly after midday the Shāh received intelligence of the perilous condition of his right wing and centre, and the dispersion of most of their troops to the rear. He could not thin his battle front elsewhere without the risk of the Marathas penetrating there and crumbling up the whole line. At this critical stage, the side which would be first able to push up adequate reinforcements to the centre was sure to turn the wavering struggle into a victory. Here the Shah’s matchless generalship, the ready obedience of his troops, and the ability of his subordinate commanders told. He sent one provost-marshal with 500 troopers to gallop to his camp and by merciless beating drive out of it all the soldiers who were found hiding there and all the armed followers to the battle front. Another officer with 1,500 mounted military police was posted immediately behind the firing line under orders to attack every runaway from the fight and turn him back to the field. Thus, some six or seven thousand retreating troops were rallied. To them were added the small body of soldiers (under one thousand) found in the camp and a detachment from the Shah’s bodyguards, forming a total of over 13,000 men. Out of these some 3,000 were sent to reinforce the hard-pressed Ruhelas of the right wing, and 10,000 to support the wazir. At the same time his two flanks were ordered to charge the Maratha centre from their respective sides every time that the grand wazir made an advance against it from the front.