Rana Amar Singh took possession of the seat of his ancestors; but wanting the means to put it in defence, the acquisition did little more than increase the temporary happiness.

Dispute between Chondawats and Suktawats

Rana Amar Singh acquired, by surrender or assault, possession of no less than eighty of the chief towns and fortresses of Mewar along with Chittor. Amongst them being siege of Untala.   Rajput exhibit extraordinary courage recorded in the annals of Rajasthan during seige of Untala.

The right to lead the herole (vanguard), which had for generations belonged to the Chondawats. But Suktawats disputed the honor on this occasion, whose well-known valour went far to justify their claim.

The sword would have decided the matter, but for the tact of the prince. Rana Amar Singh decided that the herole will go to the clan which first enters Untala first”. Suktawats readily accepted the challenge. Their rivals could no longer plead their right when such a challenge was thrown down for its maintenance.

Untala is about eighteen miles east of Udaipur, commanding the road leading to the ancient capital. It is situated on rising ground, with a stream flowing beneath its walls. Solid masonry, lofty, and with round towers at intervals and governor house in center protect the Fort.

Attack on Untala

Rajput can only entered the stronghold through single gateway. The clans moved off at the same time, some hours before dawn—Untala the goal, the herole the reward.

The Suktawats made directly for the gateway, which they reached as the day broke. The foes were taken by surprise, but the walls were soon manned and the action commenced.

The Chondawats, less skilled in topography, had traversed a swamp which retarded them, but through which they dashed, fortunately meeting a guide in a shepherd of Untala. With more foresight than their rivals, they had brought ladders.

Capture of Untala

The chief led the escalade, but a ball rolled him back amidst his vassals. The next in rank and kin took the command. He was one of those arrogant, reckless Rajputs, who signalized themselves wherever there was danger, and his common appellation was the “Benda Thakur,” or the “mad chief” of Deogarh.

When his leader fell, he rolled the body in his scarf; then, tying it on his back, scaled the wall, and having cleared the way before him with his lance, he threw it over the parapet of Ontala, shouting, ” The vanguard to the Chondawat ! we are first in!”.

Meanwhile, the Suktawat, depending on the elephant he rode, was trying to force the gate, but its projecting spikes deterred the animal from applying his strength. His men were falling thick around him, and a shout from the other party made him dread their success.

He descended from his seat, placed his body on the spikes, and commanded the driver, on pain of instant death, to propel the elephant against him.

The gates gave way, and over the body of their chief, his clan rushed into the fortress with the victorious cry of the Chondawats ringing in their ears.

Rajput overpowered the Mogul garrison and put them to sword; the standard of Mewar waved over the castle ; but the leading of the vanguard remained with the descendants of Chonda.

Continuous war with Mughals

Seventeen pitched battles had the illustrious Rajput fought since the death of his father; but the loss of his experienced veterans withered the laurels of victory, nor had he sufficient repose either to husband his forces, or to rear his young heroes to replace their dead sires.

Jahangir assembled  another mightier army under Prince Khuram, and better known in history as the emperor Shah Jahan.

Rana Amar Singh with his son Karan collect the might of the Mewar. But they could muster only handful of warriors to meet the host of Delhi. The “crimson banner” which for more than eight hundred years had waved in proud independence over the heads of the Gehlotes. It was now lower to the son of Jahangir.

The continuous war has driven Rana Amar Singh to despair. Further continuance of such distress would be attended with utter ruin, captivity, or exile.

Peace treaty with Mughals

He, therefore, determined to make peace with Mughals, and sent two of his chiefs, Supkuran and Heridas. Khuram asked but the friendship of the Rajput as the price of peace, and agreed to withdraw every Mughals from Mewar if the Rana Amar Singh would consent to receive the emperor’s firman outside the walls of his capital.

He would send his eldest son Karan to attend and serve the emperor, as did other Hindu princes; but that on account of his years, Rana Amar Singh would hold himself excused from attending in person.

This his proud soul rejected, and though Rana Amar Singh visited Prince Khuram as a friend, he spurned the proposition of acknowledging a superior, or receiving the rank and titles awaiting such an admission.

It was also agreed that the Ranas of Mewar would not enter matrimonial relations with the Mughals. The noble Amra, preferred not to be at all, took the resolution to abdicate the throne he could no longer hold but at the will of another.

Later Life

He Assembled his chiefs and disclosed them about the treaty. Later he left the capital, and secluded himself in the Nauchoki.

He was worthy of Partap and his race. Rana Amar Singh possessed the physical as well as the mental qualities of a hero, and was the tallest and strongest of all the princes of Mewar.

He was beloved by his chiefs for the qualities they most esteemed, generosity and valour, and by his subjects for his justice and charity, of which we can judge from his edicts, many of which yet live on the column or the rock.

Rana Amar Singh died on 26 January 1620 at Udaipur. His eldest son Karan Singh II succeeded him.