History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c64.s1.2

v4.c64.s1.2

And yet the alternative to Shambhuji as king was his brother Rajaram, a boy of ten, whose succession meant a long regency. A regency can succeed only under an able and energetic queen-mother like Tara Bai or a united and patriotic council of ministers like the one led a century later by Nana Fadnis. But Rajaram's mother Soyra Bai lacked the capacity and spirit of her future daughter-in-law, and there was mortal jealousy between Shivaji's two highest ministers, Moro Trimbak Pinglé (the Peshwa) and Annaji Datto (the Shurnis), and also between the Brahman ministers as a class and the Maratha generals. Singleness of policy and concerted action were impossible among Rajaram's partisans; while the fact of Shambhuji being his own master and knowing his mind gave to all his measures unity of command and promptness of execution. This factor decided the contest for the throne between the two brothers.