DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5827#0208
172 LIVES OF THE MOGHUL EMFERORS.
finding they produced no impression, the Delhi troops fell
back in considerable disorder. The battalions flanking
Baber's lines now wheeled suddenly round, meeting in
the centre upon Ibrahim's wavering squadrons, cut off
their retreat, and effected a dreadful carnage. This
success increased the confidence of the invaders, and
depressed the energies of their foes. The sultan made
a gallant effort to turn the tide of victory, but fell
fighting bravely, surrounded by five thousand slain.
The battle commenced at sunrise and continued
until midday, when the Afghans were completely
routed with a slaughter almost incredible for the
short time the struggle lasted. The number of slain
in different parts of the field amounted to from fif-
teen to sixteen thousand, though some authors have
computed it at fifty thousand. The ease with which
this victory was obtained is no doubt in a great mea-
sure attributable to the dissatisfaction of Ibrahim's
mercenaries, whom he had neglected to satisfy with
their arrears of pay. Troops of this description are
never to be relied on, as they will always join that
party whom it is most advantageous to serve, and cal-
culate their interest precisely according to the amount
of compensation for services performed. There can be
no attachment in such soldiers towards those by whom
they are hired, and their bravery may generally be
pretty accurately measured by their indifference and
their sordidness.
In addition to the slain in this decisive battle,
a great many prisoners were taken. Most of the
elephants fell into the victors' hands. Several
finding they produced no impression, the Delhi troops fell
back in considerable disorder. The battalions flanking
Baber's lines now wheeled suddenly round, meeting in
the centre upon Ibrahim's wavering squadrons, cut off
their retreat, and effected a dreadful carnage. This
success increased the confidence of the invaders, and
depressed the energies of their foes. The sultan made
a gallant effort to turn the tide of victory, but fell
fighting bravely, surrounded by five thousand slain.
The battle commenced at sunrise and continued
until midday, when the Afghans were completely
routed with a slaughter almost incredible for the
short time the struggle lasted. The number of slain
in different parts of the field amounted to from fif-
teen to sixteen thousand, though some authors have
computed it at fifty thousand. The ease with which
this victory was obtained is no doubt in a great mea-
sure attributable to the dissatisfaction of Ibrahim's
mercenaries, whom he had neglected to satisfy with
their arrears of pay. Troops of this description are
never to be relied on, as they will always join that
party whom it is most advantageous to serve, and cal-
culate their interest precisely according to the amount
of compensation for services performed. There can be
no attachment in such soldiers towards those by whom
they are hired, and their bravery may generally be
pretty accurately measured by their indifference and
their sordidness.
In addition to the slain in this decisive battle,
a great many prisoners were taken. Most of the
elephants fell into the victors' hands. Several