History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c81.s5.10

v5.c81.s5.10

To aggravate the evil, disagreements now broke out between Ajit and Durgadas,‡ of which the Emperor was not slow to take advantage. Ajit Singh lacked his father's ability and power of command. He seems to have been capricious and self-indulgent and incapable of thinking out or following any deeply-laid scheme of concerted action. He was impatient of advice, imperious in temper, and jealous of Durgadas's well-merited influence in the royal council and popularity among his clansmen. It speaks very ill of the character and intelligence of Ajit that for this supremely devoted and unselfish servant of his house and saviour of his own infancy, he could find no place in his Government but at last drove him out to seek Mughal service or take refuge in Udaipur territory. This internal discord among the Rathor leaders helped Aurangzib's designs just when all seemed to be going against him, and it enabled him to keep Ajit Singh out of his kingdom and capital for five years more. With Durgadas and Ajit working together, the recovery of Marwar from the Mughals would have been completed in 1702, instead of 1707.