Maharana Amar Singh I, the Maharana of Mewar, was Maharana Pratap of Mewar's eldest son and heir. He ruled Mewar from January 19, 1597.

Maharana Amar Singh I – Son of Maharana Pratap

Maharana Amar Singh I, the Maharana of Mewar, was Maharana Pratap of Mewar’s eldest son and heir. He ruled Mewar from January 19, 1597, until his death on January 26, 1620, as the 16th Rana of the Mewar dynasty of Sisodia Rajputs. Udaipur was his capital.

Birth and coronation

Maharana Pratap’s eldest son was Amar Singh. He was born at Chittor on March 16, 1559, to Maharana Pratap and Maharani Ajabde Punwar, the same year that his grandfather, Udai Singh II, laid the foundation of Udaipur. Amar Singh succeeded Maharana Pratap after his death on January 19, 1597, and ruled Mewar till January 26, 1620.

Reign

The long-running Mughal-Mewar battle began when Udai Singh II sought refuge in the Mewar highlands and remained there for the rest of his life. When his son Pratap Singh I was installed as the Rana of Mewar after his death in 1572, tensions erupted. Initially, Pratap was hesitant to adopt his father Udai Singh II passive strategy.

After Mewar was decimated financially and manpower-wise as a result of multiple conflicts with the Mughals, Amar Singh decided to begin negotiations with them, and in 1615, he ultimately signed a treaty with Shah Jahan (who negotiated on Jahangir’s behalf). His grandmother, Jaiwanta Bai, served as his advisor and counseled him.

In the treaty, it was agreed that:

  • The ruler of Mewar will not be required to appear in person at the Mughal court; instead, a Rana relative would be assigned to assist the Mughal Emperor.
  • It was also agreed that the Ranas of Mewar would not marry any Mughals.
  • In the Mughal service, Mewar would have to keep a contingent of 1500 horsemen.
  • The Rana would reclaim Chittor and other Mughal-occupied territories of Mewar, but the Chittor fort would never be restored. The last requirement was imposed because the Chittor fort was a powerful bulwark, and the Mughals were apprehensive of it being utilized in a future insurrection.
  • A Mughal rank of 5000 zat and 5000 sowar would be bestowed to the Rana.
  • The rulers of Dungarpur and Banswarra (who had gained independence during Akbar’s reign) would return to Mewar as vassals and pay tribute to the Rana.

As a goodwill gesture, the territory surrounding Chittor, as well as the Chittor Fort, were returned to Mewar following the treaty. Udaipur, on the other hand, remained the Mewar State’s capital.

Qualities

Amar Singh was revered for his gallantry, bravery, leadership, sense of justice, and kindness. He was given the moniker ‘Chakraveer’ for his bravery in the face of the Mughals.

Death

Amar Singh died on January 26, 1620, in Udaipur, and was succeeded by Karan Singh II, his eldest son.

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