New History of the Marathas v1.c18.82

v1.c18.82

Rājārām's character and capacity have been already described in the preceding pages. He possessed no dash or initiative, nor did he ever evince any personal valour. He was only ten years of age when his father died and had received no education during his detention on the fort of Raigad at the hands of his elder brother. Rājārām has left no writing behind like the Sanskrit and Hindi compositions of Sambhājī. His mother was put to death and Rājārām had no congenial company in his boyhood. At the death of Sambhājī, sheer chance brought Rājārām to his father's throne. He fortunately obtained wise and able counsellors in Rāmchandra Pant and Pralhād Nirāji, and equally brave warriors in Santājī and Dhanājī. There is not a single occasion recorded in his life on which Rājārām showed personal daring or capacity for government.