1 20 BATTLE OF PANEEPUT. A. D. 1761.
2 as to compel the Bhao to risk an action. On the 7th of
3 January 1761, he led his army out of their intrenched
4 position at day break, and prepared for the final struggle.
5 The Muhrattas were entirely defeated, and both WiswAS
6 Rao and the Bhdo were slain in the action, with many
7 other principal Muhratta chiefs. There have been few
8 battles attended with greater carnage than history as-
9 signs to this. The lowest computation of the loss sus-
10 tained by the Muhrattas, fixes the number engaged at
11 200,000, of whom more than half were slain in the action
12 or pursuit : and, considering how far from their own
13 country they fought, and that the intermediate tract was
14 mostly hostile, our wonder at the loss will be lessened.
15 But the moral effect on the Muhratta nation was greater
16 even than the actual loss. Their entire force had been
17 put forth for the struggle, and defeat was for the moment
18 felt as the annihilation of their ambitious hopes, and the
19 destruction of their power.
20 The Abdalee remained for a few days after this im-
21 portant victory in the city of Dehlee regulating the affairs
22 of Hindoostan. He then returned through the Punjab
23 to Kabool, appointing Khaja Obyd and Zyn Khan
24 to be his governors in Lah6r and Sirhind, which he de-
25 signed permanently to annex to his own dominions.