Hi all.
This is my first ever alternate history time line, so there may be some clichés or inaccuracies in it. If any are noticed, please comment
January 14, 1761, Panipat
Sadashivrao Bhau surveyed his force. The Afghan artillery was proving ineffectual against his lines due to their short range. He watched as Ibrahim Khan led the left flank forwards, and cursed as his first artillery salvo flew over the heads of his foes, inflicting no damage. Then the Afghan Rohillas advanced, but were broken by the Marathan pike- and bowmen. Sadashivrao Bhau watched in satisfaction as the next two artillery salvoes, fired at point-blank range, decimated the Afghans, sending them reeling back and leaving the field in the hands of Ibrahim Khan, whose 8,000 Gardi musketeers then continued to massacre about 12,000 Rohillas over the next three hours.
As clouds covered the sun, Bhau ordered Ibrahim Khan to withdraw, and led the next charge against the Afghan forces himself. He cried out in exhilaration as he saw the force of his attack break the Afghan lines, and the enemy soldiers began to desert. He wheeled his cavalry about, and set about destroying the right flank of the Afghan army.
As Scindia attacked the rest of the Afghan army, Bhau could see that victory was within his grasp. The Afghan left still held against him, but the right was all but destroyed, and the centre cloven in two.
The Afghan General, Ahmad Shah sent his bodyguards to call up his reserves of 15,000 highly trained troops from his camp, but they were cut down by a force of Marathan cavalry before they were even halfway. Without his reserves, Ahmad Shah could see that he was defeated, but continued to fight on in the vain hope that his reserves would turn up anyway. His forces were slaughtered to a man.
As Sadashivrao Bhau led 25,000 of his surviving cavalry towards the enemy camp, the reserves finally realised that something was wrong, and attempted to make themselves ready for battle, but in vain. 14,000 were slain, and the rest left alive to carry the tale of their defeat back home.
Sadashivrao Bhau, surveying the battlefield was pleased. He had defended the Maratha Empire against the Afghans, and now all that was necessary was to mop up the remaining Mughal strongholds, and the land of India would be free of the Muslim overlords again.
So, what do you think? Any good? Worth continuing?