His accession to the throne was controversial as he was alleged to have made his way clear and unopposed by killing Kunwar Ratan Singh, the only child of his nephew and predecessor Maharana Raj Singh II (born 1743, r. 1754–1761).

The younger brother of Maharana Pratap Singh II, Ari Singh II came to the throne on the death of Pratap's son and heir, Raj Singh II, who had succeeded his father at the age of 11, reigning for seven years.

Ari Singh acceded in 1762, reigning for eleven years, until his assassination by Maharao Ajit Singhji of Bundi on 9 March 1773; in turn, Ajit Singhji lived only a few months after the killing of Ari Singh.

The nobles who left the Mewar court formed a group.

Though Ratna Singh succeeded in temporarily occupying Kumbhalgarh, he was later defeated.