History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c49.s5: §5. Sons born to Jaswant.
History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c49.s5
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§5. Sons born to Jaswant.
v3.c49.s5.1
On the death of the Maharajah at Jamrud, five of his wives and seven of his concubines burnt themselves with his corpse. His followers began a hurried return to their homeland from the uncongenial climate of Afghanistan which had killed both Jaswant and his son Jagat Singh, the hope of his old age. On reaching Lahor two of the widowed Ranis gave birth to two sons (February, 1679), one of whom died in a few weeks, while the other, Ajit Singh, lived to mount the throne of Jodhpur after a most eventful and romantic career.†
v3.c49.s5.2
† Tod, ii. ch. 6 & 7; Ishwardas, 73b.
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As early as 26th February the Rathor ministers had waited on the Emperor and pleaded in vain for a recognition of the succession of Ajit to his father’s heritage. At the end of June the Maharajah’s family reached Delhi, and the rights of Ajit were again urged before Aurangzib; but he only ordered that the child should be brought up in his harem, with a promise to give him a rank in the Mughal peerage and investiture as Rajah when he would come of age.* One contemporary historian says that the throne of Jodhpur was offered to Ajit on condition of his turning Muslim.† Such a proposal would be quite in keeping with Aurangzib's past policy, as he had lately given the zamindaris of Chaukigarh, Deogarh, and Mau to those among rival claimants who had agreed to accept Islam. The assertion is corroborated by the fact that the counterfeit Ajit Singh whom he kept in ward, was brought up as a Muslim, given a Muslim name, Muhammadi Raj, and on his death buried as a Muslim.‡ Some years later Aurangzib, also pressed the captive Shahu Bhonsla to embrace Islam.
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∗ Ishwardas, 74b.
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† Dilkasha, 164.
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‡ Akhbarat, year 13 sheets 10, 24, 32; M. U. ii. 281; Tod, i. p. 413 (later); Ishwardas, 144 a.
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The loyal Rathors were seized with consternation at Aurangzib's proposal. Their cherished religion itself was in danger of being subtly overthrown. The life of the royal infant would scarcely be safe in the charge of his greedy and bigoted guardian. The clansmen vowed to die to a man to save their chieftain's heir. But even Rajput devotion and Rajput heroism would have availed little without the guiding genius of Durgadas, the flower of Rathor chivalry.
v3.c49.s5.8
∗ M.A. 173, 177.