History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c64.s1.5

v4.c64.s1.5

The crowning of Rajaram gave the signal for a division among the Marathas. A faction for Shambhuji was soon formed, not because they felt themselves morally bound to guard the just rights of the eldest born, nor that they feared any harm to the nation from Rajaram’s coming to power, but solely because they had gained little from the new king and hoped to gain much more by going over to his rival and earning his favour by their timely help. The army, gorged with plunder in Shivaji’s time, seems to have received no bounty at this change of masters and was eager to transfer its venal sword to Shambhuji, whose helpless condition made him reckless in his promises for gaining adherents. There was, also, greater hope of plunder and distinction under a general like Shambhuji who had led expeditions in the late reign than under a boy like Rajaram whose future military capacity was unknown. The council of regency as constituted at Raigarh meant Brahman rule, and the commander-in-chief (a Maratha by caste) was not prepared to take his orders from a priestly Mayor of the Palace, any more than another Senapati of the Maratha realm, Khande Rao Dhabaré, was fifty years later.