Early Life

Maharana Amar Singh was the eldest son of Maharana Pratap. He was born in Chittor on 16 March 1559. Same year, his grandfather, Udai Singh II laid the foundation of Udaipur.

From the early age of eight he had been his father’s constant companion, and the partner of his toils and dangers. Instructed in every act of mountain strife, and familiar with its perils. He entered on his career in the very flower of manhood, already attended by sons able to maintain whatever his sword might recover of his patrimony.

Akbar survived Maharana Pratap nearly eight years. Akbar left Maharana Amar Singh in complete repose during the remainder of this monarch’s life.

Maharana Amar Singh Rule

Maharana Amar Singh remodelled the institutions of his country. He made a new assessment of the lands and distribution of the fiefs. Maharana Amar Singh established the gradation of ranks as it now exists. He regulated the laws even to the tie of a turban.

Many of these laws are to be seen engraved on pillars of stone in various parts of the country. But the repose he enjoyed was not without its dangers, and at one time seemed likely to bring about the realization of his father’s prophetic fears.

Maharana Amar Singh constructed for himself a palace on the banks of the lake, named after himself the ” abode of immortality”. Remarkable for its Gothic contrast to the splendid marble edifice erected by his predecessors.

He now the abode of the princes of Mewar, yet a residence by no means devoid of stately luxury, and one ill calculated to foster the memory of his father’s admonitions.

Prelude to War

Jahangir having been four years on the throne, and, having overcome all internal dissensions, resolved to signalize his reign by the subjugation of the only prince who had disdained to acknowledge the paramount power of the Mughul.

Maharana Amar Singh, between the love of ease and reputation, wavered as to the course he should adopt. In such a state of mind the chiefs found him when they went to his new abode to warn him to prepare for the emergency.

The gallant Chondawats, recalling the dying behest of their late prince, demanded its fulfillment ; and urged every argument their patriotism could devise to rouse their apathetic leader to action.

Soon, Mewar nobles surrounded Amar Singh and compelled him to mount his horse. Soon the contingent reached the temple of Jaggarnath, when the prince recovered from his fit of passion—the tears ceased to flow. One of the noble said: ” Lead on, nor shall you ever have to regret your late sovereign”.

War with Emperor Jahagir

Elevated with every sentiment of generosity and valor Rajput attacked the royal army, led by the brother of the Khankhanan. As Royal Army entered the pass, and, after a long and sanguinary combat, Maharana Amar Singh gained a complete victory.

Rajput in Battle
                             Rajput in Battle

A truce followed this battle, but it was of short duration, for another and yet more murderous conflict took place in the spring of 1606. Maharana Amar Singh completed destroyed the imperial army under its leader Abdulla in the pass of Rampur.  Though Maharana Amar Singh also lost the best and bravest of the Sisodia chiefs.

Alarmed at these successive defeats, Jahangir, preparatory to equipping a fresh army. He selected a new Maharana Amar Singh, and installed him in the ancient seat of power, Chitor. He hoped that this will lead mass desertion in Maharana Amar Singh support base.

Jahagir employs Political Trick to defeat Maharana Amar Singh

The experiment evinced at least a knowledge of their prejudices ; but, to the honour of Rajput fidelity, it failed. Mughal selected Rana Sugra, who abandoned Maharana Pratap and went over to Akbar. The sword of sovereignty was girded on him by the emperor’s own hands ; and, under the escort of a Mogul force, he took possession of his ruined capital.

For seven years people of Mewar paid spurious homage to Sugra. But it is gratifying to record that not even by this recreant son of Chitor could the impressions formed in contemplating the scenes around him be resisted.

Sugra, though flinty as the rock to a brother and a nephew, was unable to support the silent rebuke of the altars of the heroes of his race, and, at length, sending for Maharana Amar Singh, he handed over to him Chitor, and himself retired to Ranthambor.

Soon he visited the Mughal court. He drew his dagger and slew himself in the emperor’s presence after Jahagir scolded him —an end worthy of such a traitor.

Emperor unleashed unending War on Mewar

Jahangir, thoroughly alarmed, determined to equip an overwhelming force to crush the Maharana Amar Singh. To this end he raised the imperial standard at Ajmer, and assembled the expedition under his own immediate inspection.

He appointed his son Parvez commander, with instructions on departure “that if the Maharana Amar Singh or his eldest son Karan Singh should repair to him, to receive them with becoming attention, and to offer no molestation to the country.”

But the Sisodia prince little thought of submission. On the contrary he met the royal army at pass of Khamnor. A spot often moistened with blood leading into the heart of the hills.

Rana defeated Mughal, and pursued them with great slaughter to Ajmer. The Mogul historian admits it to have been a glorious day for Mewar.

He describes Parvez entangled in the passes, dissensions in his camp, and his supplies cut off; and refers to “his precipitate flight and pursuit, in which the royal army lost vast numbers of men”.

But Jahangir, in his diary, slurs over the affair, and simply remarks : “I recalled Parvez to rejoin me at Lahore, and directed his son with some chiefs to be left to watch the Rana.”

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