History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c74.s14.35

v5.c74.s14.35

But his money difficulties were as great as ever, and he again left Arcot to collect tribute from Tanjore and other places in the south. This source was soon exhausted, "he spent all this money in a short time, but could not clear the arrears of his soldiers' pay." [Dil., 121b.] Then by way of Trikolur and Trinomali he returned to Wandiwash to canton for the rainy season. Happily for him, the Marathas were now very much weakened by a bitter and final rupture between Dhana and Santaji, the rivals for the post of commander-in-chief. Rajaram sided with Dhana, an internecine war raged among the Marathas, and finally Dhana was defeated by his rival and driven back to Maharashtra (May 1696). "Among the Marathas not much union was seen. Every one called himself a sardar and went out to plunder (on his own account)." [Dil., 122a ; Z.S.]