Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c27.s28.2

v2.c27.s28.2

Again, though according to the current Maratha tradition (Bhāu Sāh. Bakhar, p. 79 and Holkar Kaifiyat, p. 23), young Jankoji Sindhia clung to Malhar as a child does to its mother, and in the battle of Pānipat Jankoji was posted at the very elbow of Malhar, the latter did not take Janko with him in his flight, which he could have most easily done in a pre-arranged and well-conducted retreat. The weight of evidence is irresistible that Malhar thought only of saving himself, and by a secret collusion with Najib (and, through Najib, with Shah Pasand Khan, his opposite number.) that neither party would molest the other, he remained inert during the critical stage of the battle. * But as soon as the Bhau's defeat appeared certain, though still an hour before the end of the struggle, Malhar fled away westwards, thus utterly uncovering Jankoji's right flank. Shah Pasand thrust himself into the gap and attacked Janko from that wing and the rear, while Najib, who had now worked his way to within musket shot of Janko (his opposite number), assailed him in front with a discharge of 2,000 rockets at a time into his densely crowded and confused ranks. Jankoji, himself severely wounded and enveloped in front right and rear, was driven with the broken remnant of his division towards his left (the only path now lying open to him) and reached the rear of the Bhāu's division (the centre.) There he fell into the jaws of Barkhurdār Khan, who, after the annihilation of the Gārdi troops and consequent disappearance of the entire Maratha left wing, had turned the Maratha centre and got behind the Bhāu.