History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c64.s7.2

v4.c64.s7.2

In this forlorn situation he seemed to have gained a truly devoted servant. A Kanauji Brahman, who had been the hereditary priest of the Bhonslé family at Allahabad, arrived at Raigarh shortly before Shambhuji’s grand coronation. He was deeply versed in Sanskrit theology and popularly believed to be a master of necromancy. He soon made his way into the Rajah’s heart, and gradually monopolized his trust and the supreme control of the administration, while Shambhuji rapidly became a *faineant* king, blindly following the minister’s advice, and devoting all his time to wine and women, with fitful outbursts of martial vigour. Already in November 1682 he was known in Bombay as “the chiefest minister of State” along with Prahlad Niraji.