Raj Singh i , the “royal lion,” mounted the throne in 1654. He was a son of Maharana Jagat Singh I. and grandson of Karan Singh.

Various causes, over which he had no control, combined, together with his personal character, to break the long repose his country had enjoyed.

Political Situation of North India

The Shah Jahan had reached extreme old age. The ambition of his sons to usurp his authority involved every Rajput in support of their individual pretensions.

The Rana Raj Singh inclined to Dara, the legitimate heir to the throne, as did nearly the whole Rajput race.

But the battle of Fatehabad gave the lead to Aurangzeb. He maintained it by the sacrifice of everything that opposed his ambition.

Jahangir and Shah Jahan had reaped many advantages from the policy Akbar introduced.

Aurangzeb unwisely abandoned these policy.

He had more powerful reasons than either of the former for maintaining those ties which bound the Rajput princes to his throne.

His Tartar blood brought no Rajput sympathies to his aid.

On the contrary, every family shed its best blood in withstanding his accession, and in the defence of the rights of Shah Jahan, as long as there was any hope of success.

Alienation of Rajput

So many distinguished princes were contemporary with one another as during the reign of Aurangzeb.

Every Rajput principality had a head above mediocrity in courage and ability.

If Aurangzeb had properly taken care of Jai Singh of Ambar, Jaswant Singh of Marwar, the Hadas of Bundi and Kotah, the Rathors of Bikanir, Orcha, and Datia.

They would have rendered the Mogul power indissoluble.

He determined to enforce the conversion of the Hindus by the severest penalties, and even by the sword ; as if the blood of his subjects were to wash away the stains from his hands, already crimsoned with that of his family.

Rajput Hunting Boar
Rajput Hunting Boar

Labour left the field and industry the loom.

Soon the decrease of the revenues induced Aurangzeb to substitute a capitation tax as the balance of account between the two religions.

Soon Rana Raj Singh signalised his accession by the revival of warlike tika and plundered Malpura.

Later on, the impetuous prince threw down the gauntlet to Aurangzeb in the plenitude of his power.

The valour of the Sisodias again burst forth in all the splendour of the days of Pratap.

Marriage of Princess of Rupnagar

The Mogul demanded the hand in marriage of the princess of Rupnagar, a junior branch of the Marwar house.

He sent with the demand, as it was certain that Rana Raj Singh will comply, a company of 2000 horse to escort the fair to court.

But the haughty Rajputni rejected with disdain the proffered alliance. She wrote “How can a Rajputni, pure in blood to be wife to the monkey-faced barbarian”?

She sent the letter to other Rajput prince, concluding with a threat of self-destruction if not saved from dishonour.

This appeal was seized on with avidity by the Rana Raj Singh as a pretext for throwing away the scabbard.

He embarking on a warfare in which he determined to put all to the hazard in defence of his country and his faith.

The first step was an omen of success to his warlike and superstitious vassalage.

With a chosen band he rapidly passed the foot of the Aravalli and appeared before Rupnagar.

He defeated the imperial guards, and took the princess to his capital.

This daring act was applauded by all who bore the name of Rajput. His chiefs with joy gathered their retainers round the red standard to protect the queen so gallantly rescued.

Prelude to War between Aurangzeb and Rajput

For a sometime the Mogul delayed his vengeance.

It was not until the assassination of Jaswant Singh of Marwar and Jai Singh of Ambar by own nobles that he deemed himself strong enough.

Soon he put forth the full extent of his long cherished design, the imposition of the jizya or capitation tax, on the whole Hindu race.

But he miscalculated his measures; and the murder of these two princes, far from advancing his aim, recoiled with vengeance on his head.

The mother of Ajit, the infant heir of Marwar, was a princess of Mewar.

She threw herself upon the protection of the Rana as the natural guardian of her child during the dangers of his minority.

She sent the child to reside at Kailwa under the safeguard of the brave Durga Das Rathor.

While the mother returned to Marwar to foster the spirit of resistance amongst the Rathor clans.

Mewar and Marwar thus established the unity of interests such as had never existed between them before.

Due to repeated instances of humanity on the part of the Rana Raj Singh, the throne of the Moguls might have been completely overturned.

This letter, the sanctuary afforded to Ajit Singh, and the carrying off of the lady of his choice.

This roused Aurangzeb to the highest pitch of resentment.

The very magnitude of these preparations was the highest compliment to the tributary Rajput.

Preparation for War

Son Aurangzeb recalled his son Akbar from his province Bengal, Azim from the distant Kabul, and Shah Alam, his heir, from the war in the Deccan.

Having collected his formidable array, the emperor entered Mewar. Rana Raj Singh speedily reduced the plains, for the Rajputs had learnt by experience that it was indefensible against overwhelming odds. The inhabitants had already retired with their effects to the hills.

The Rana Raj Singh divided his forces into three bodies. Rana Raj Singh posted his eldest son, Jai Singh, on the crest of the Aravalli, ready to act on the invaders from either side of the mountain.

Prince Bhim was to the west, to keep up communications with Gujarat. While the Rana Raj Singh, with the main body, took post in the Nain defile, but hanging on his left flank, and ready to turn it as soon as the mountains were entered.

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