History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c49.s3.1

v3.c49.s3.1

A special reason, besides its strategic importance, made the kingdom of Marwar a desirable acquisition in Aurangzib's eyes. It was the foremost Hindu State of Northern India at this time.† Its chieftain was Jaswant Singh, who enjoyed the unrivalled rank of a Maharajah and whom the death of Jai Singh thirteen years ago had left as the leading Hindu peer of the Mughal Court. If his power passed on to a worthy successor, that successor would be the pillar of the Hindus' hopes all over the empire and the centre of the Hindu opposition to the policy of temple destruction and *jaziya*.