Amar Singh I

Maharana Amar Singh I, the Maharana of Mewar (March 16, 1559 – January 26, 1620), was the eldest son and successor of Maharana Pratap of Mewar. He was the 16th Rana of Mewar dynasty of Sisodia Rajputs and ruler of Mewar from January 19, 1597 till his death on January 26, 1620. His capital was Udaipur.

Amar Singh I
Painting of Maharana Amar Singh I
Maharana of Mewar
ReignJanuary 19, 1597 – January 26, 1620
CoronationJanuary 19, 1597 Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
PredecessorMaharana Pratap
SuccessorKaran Singh II
BornMarch 16, 1559
Chittor Fort, Rajasthan
Died26 January 1620(1620-01-26) (aged 60)
Udaipur, Rajasthan
SpouseRani Amba
Rani Ashwini
Rani Ganga
Maharani Yamuna
Rani Kunti
IssueKaran Singh II
Surajmal
(2/7 others)
HouseSisodias of Mewar
FatherMaharana Pratap
MotherMaharani Ajabde
ReligionHinduism
Sisodia Rajputs of Mewar II
(1326–1884)

Birth and coronation

Amar Singh was the eldest son of Maharana Pratap. He was born in Chittor on 16 March 1559 to Maharana Pratap and Maharani Ajabde Punwar, the same year, when foundation of Udaipur was laid by his grandfather, Udai Singh II.[1] Amar Singh succeeded Maharana Pratap upon his death on 19 January 1597 and was the ruler of Mewar till his death on 26 January 1620.[2]

Reign
See also: Battle of Dewair (1606)

The long drawn Mughal-Mewar conflict started when Udai Singh II sought refuge in the mountains of the Mewar and never ventured out of his hiding. After his death in 1572, hostilities broke out, when his son Pratap Singh I was appointed as the Rana of Mewar. Initially, Pratap was inclined to eschew the passive strategy followed by his father Udai Singh II.

After Mewar was devastated financially and in manpower due to several battles against the Mughals, Amar Singh thought it prudent to start negotiations with them and finally, entered into a treaty with Shah Jahan (who negotiated on behalf of Jahangir) in 1615. He was advised by his council and his grandmother, Jaiwanta Bai, his advisor.

In the treaty, it was agreed that:

  • The ruler of Mewar, will not be bound to present himself in person at Mughal court, instead, a relative of the Rana would wait upon the Mughal Emperor and serve him.[3]
  • It was also agreed that the Ranas of Mewar would not enter matrimonial relations with the Mughals.[3]
  • Mewar would have to keep a contingent of 1500 horsemen in the Mughal service.[4]
  • Chittor and other Mughal occupied areas of Mewar would be returned to the Rana, but Chittor fort would never be repaired. The reason for this last condition was that the Chittor fort was a very powerful bastion and the mughals were wary of it being used in any future rebellion.[3]
  • The Rana would be given a Mughal rank of 5000 zat and 5000 sowar.[5]
  • The rulers of Dungarpur and Banswarra (who had become independent during Akbars reign) would once again become vassals of Mewar and pay tribute to the Rana.[6]

After the treaty, the territories around Chittor along with the Chittor Fort were given back to Mewar, as goodwill gesture.[7] However, Udaipur remained the capital of Mewar State.[8]

Qualities

Amar Singh was admired for his bravery, leadership, valour, and sense of justice and kindness. He showed great valour against the Mughals due to which he was given the title 'Chakraveer'.[2]

Death

Amar Singh died on 26 January 1620 at Udaipur and was succeeded by his eldest son Karan Singh II.[1]

See also

Notes
    1. Satish Chandra (2007). History of Medieval India: 800-1700. Orient BlackSwan. ISBN 978-8125032267. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
    2. Mathur 1994, p. 23.
    3. Chandra 2006, p. 123.
    4. Sharma, Sri Ram (1971). Maharana Raj Singh and his Times. p. 14. ISBN 8120823982.
    5. Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals Part - II By Satish Chandra pg.123-124
    6. Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals Part - II By Satish Chandra pg.123-124
    7. Jahangir - Emperor of India - Encyclopaedia Britannica
    8. "Udaipur History". Rajasthan Government official. Retrieved 25 September 2020.

    References
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