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Module - II Rise and fall of the Mughal Empire
Military History of
Pratap's small army had a vanguard while the remainder army was divided
Medieval India
into left, centre and right wings. He had deployed Bhils, his infantry, to guard
the pass from both the flanks. The battle was fought on 18th January, 1576.
Pratap took the initiative and started the attack. Before long, Pratap's army
was decimated and this unequal contest ended.
c) Aftermath : Rana Pratap's army had suffered crippling losses and most of its
Note gallant chiefs had been killed. The blood of Mewar had irrigated the soil of
Haldi Ghati. The strategic route to Gujrat from Delhi was secured.
Akbar expected that either Pratap would be captured or killed during the battle.
But Pratap had managed to escape after offering a firm resistance where his
personal valour had won the hearts of all his followers.
So, from Akbar's point of view, battle of Haldighati was a barren victory, as
Pratap continued the struggle to the bitter end, and Akbar had to mount further
expeditions to crush Rana Pratap, but without success.
8.4 Causes of Downfall of Mughals
There are several causes for the decline of the Mughal rule in India. They are as
follows:
An open country was a pre-requisite for success of Mughal army, for without
this their cavalry could not be deployed effectively. In a mountainous terrain,
they were at a terrible disadvantage.
The army became, in effect, a body of mercenaries who served for personal
gains, and were ever ready to desert when things went bad. There was no
discipline in the military.
While Mansabdari system was the key to the structure of Mughal administrative
setup, it had its own disadvantages in the army. Each man had so much to lose
and so very little to gain, for example, a cavalier rode his own horse, and if it was
killed in action, the compensations were disproportionate.
The most critical point of a battle was the death or disappearance of the leader.
The troops lacked discipline and determination; and were subject to panic and
sudden flight.
Intext Questions 8.2
1. When was the battle of Haldighati fought and who were the opposing forces?
2. What was the outcome of the battle?
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MILITARY HISTORY
