172 
LIVES OF THE MOGHUL EMPERORS. 
finding they produced no impression, the Delhi troops fell 
hack in considerable disorder. The battalions flanking 
Babers 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 
