Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c27.s26.3

v2.c27.s26.3

It was only when the fugitives, now at their last gasp from 200 miles of flight without food or rest through a hostile population, reached the Jāt kingdom that they found a haven of refuge. Suraj Mal received them with every mark of kindness and hospitality, giving free rations to every Deccani soldier or camp-follower and medical attendance to their wounded, and, when they were rested and recovered, conveyance to their own city of Gwālior. Thus fifty thousand men and women, the sole survivors of the Bhāu’s camp at Pānipat, were saved. The Jāt queen was particularly liberal in her charity to the Brāhmans and respectful attention to the ladies of the Maratha race. Not a single man among them could have returned to the Deccan if Suraj Mal had so wished, as Father Xavier Wendel justly claims.*