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{{Short description|Maharana of Mewar from 1597 to 1620}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox royalty
| native_lang1_name1 =
| name = Maharana Amar Singh I
| image = Raja Ravi Varma, Maharana Amar Singh - I.jpg
| caption = Painting of Maharana Amar Singh I
| succession = [[Maharana]] of [[Mewar]]
| reign = 19 January 1597 – 26 January 1620
| coronation = 19 January 1597 [[Udaipur]]
| predecessor = [[Maharana Pratap]]
| successor = [[Karan Singh II]]
| birth_date = 16 March 1559
| birth_place = [[Chittor Fort]], [[Mewar]], [[Rajputana]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|1620|01|26|1559|03|16|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Udaipur]], [[Mewar]], [[Rajputana]]
| spouse = Rathorji Laksh Deiji of [[Idar, Gujarat|Idar]] Solankiniji Manbhawat Deiji of Virpur/[[Lunawada]] in [[Gujarat]] Tomarji Shyam Deiji of [[Gwalior]] Rathorji Ram Deiji of [[Marwar]] Jhaliji Raj Deiji of [[Delwara]] in [[Mewar]] Rathorji Satyabhama Deiji of [[Chavand, Rajasthan|Chavand]] in [[Mewar]] Hadiji Manbhawan Deiji of [[Bundi]] Rathorji Rukhmawat Deiji of [[Siwana]] in [[Marwar]]
| issue = [[Karan Singh II]] Surajmal Bhim Singh Arjun Singh Ratan Singh Bagh Singh Kesar Kanwarji m. to [[Rao Surtan Deora]] I of [[Sirohi]]
| house = [[Sisodia Dynasty|Sisodia]]
| father = [[Maharana Pratap]]
| mother = Parmarji Ajab Deiji d.of Rao Mamrakh of [[Bijolia]] in [[Mewar]]
| religion = [[Hinduism]]
{{Infobox military person
| embed = yes
| allegiance =
| branch =
| rank =
| battles = *[[Battle of Dewair (1606)]]
*Battle of Ranakpur
*[[Siege of Ontala (1599)]]}}
}}
{{Mewari Rana}}

'''Maharana Amar Singh I''' the [[Maharana|Sisodia-Rajput]] ruler of the [[Mewar|Mewar Kingdom]] (16 March 1559 – 26 January 1620), was the eldest son and successor of [[Maharana Pratap|Maharana Pratap I]]. He was the 14th Rana of Mewar, ruling from 19 January 1597 until his death on 26 January 1620.

==Birth and coronation==
Amar Singh I was the eldest son of [[Maharana Pratap|Maharana Pratap I]]. He was born in the old capital fortress of [[Chittorgarh|Chittor]] on 16 March 1559 to his father's chief queen [[Ajabde|Ajabde Punwar]], who belonged to the Parmarji of [[Bijolia]], a fiefdom under Mewar in the same year when foundation of the new capital city of [[Udaipur]] was laid by his grandfather, [[Udai Singh II]].<ref name="Chandra satish">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qHnHHwAACAAJ|title=History of Medieval India: 800-1700|author=Satish Chandra|publisher= Orient BlackSwan|year=2007|isbn=978-8125032267|access-date=2020-09-24}}</ref> Amar Singh I succeeded Pratap upon his death on 19 January 1597 and was the ruler of Mewar until his own death on 26 January 1620.{{sfn|Mathur|1994|p=23}}

==Conflict with the Mughals==
By the end his reign Maharana Pratap was able to recover much of his ancestral kingdom which included all 36 outposts of Mewar, apart from [[Chittor]] and Mandalgarh which continued to remain under the Mughals.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Vanina |first=Eugenia |date=October 2019 |title=Monuments to Enemies? 'Rajput' Statues in Mughal Capitals |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-the-royal-asiatic-society/article/abs/monuments-to-enemies-rajput-statues-in-mughal-capitals/20D45D35D02CE70E4D801D631C78EB79 |journal=Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society |language=en |volume=29 |issue=4 |pages=683–704 |doi=10.1017/S1356186319000415 |issn=1356-1863 |s2cid=211645258|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

'''<big>Against Akbar</big>'''

After Pratap's death, Akbar dispatched a strong force with [[Raja Man Singh]], Shah Kuli Khan and other senior Mansabdars under the nominal command of Prince Salim (later Emperor [[Jahangir]]). Rana Amar Singh, following his father's policy, sought refuge in the hilly regions of western Mewar. His forces resisted the Mughals, launching surprise attacks on their outposts. Sultan Khan Ghori, stationed at [[Bagor, Rajasthan|Bagor]], was unexpectedly attacked and killed. Later, Prince Salim arrived in Udaipur and ordered his commanders to intensify efforts against the Mewar forces. In response, Maharana launched a counter-attack near Malpura, plundering several towns. Additionally, he conducted a night raid on a Mughal outposts. The Mughal campaign ended inconclusively as Man Singh was called to Bengal without any significant achievements.<ref>
{{cite book |author=Ram Vallabh Somani |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NcIBAAAAMAAJ |title=History of Mewar, from Earliest Times to 1751 A.D. |publisher=Mateshwari |pages=243–244 |year=1976 |oclc=2929852 }}</ref>

Towards the end of his reign, [[Akbar]] invested Sagar, a son of Rana [[Udai Singh II]], with the title of Rana and intended to set him on the throne of Chittor. Akbar was actually preparing to send a force under [[Khusrau Mirza]] to install Sagar, but before this could be done, Akbar died.<ref>{{cite book| last=Maujumdar|first=RC|title=History and Culture of the Indian People, Volume 07, The Mughul Empire| year=1970| isbn=9788172765699| page=340}}</ref>

===Against Jahangir===

'''Parviz's Invasion of Mewar'''

Shortly after his accession in 1606, [[Jahangir]] sent an army of 20,000 cavalry to attack Mewar. [[Parviz Mirza]] was the commander in name only while in reality the ''[[de facto]]'' commander was Jahangir who directed [[Asaf Khan I|Asaf Khan]]. Amar led a hard fought battle to defend his territory and personally killed the Mughal commander Sultan Khan and his horse with a spear which went through them both.<ref>
{{cite book |title=The Mughal Empire (1526-1803) |first=Ashirbadi Lal |last=Srivastava |publisher=Shiva Lal Agarwala & Company |year=1986 |edition=8th |page=269|quote=Amar Singh bravely defended his territory and fought a tough battle at the pass of Dewar which proved to be indecisive. Both sides claimed victory}}</ref>

'''Mahabat Khan's invasion'''

In 1608, an army under [[Mahabat Khan]] was sent to Mewar through Mandal and Chittor. This army was defeated and had to retreat because of continuous raids by Rajput forces.<ref>
{{cite book |author=Ram Vallabh Somani |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NcIBAAAAMAAJ |title=History of Mewar, from Earliest Times to 1751 A.D. |publisher=Mateshwari |pages=247–248 |year=1976 |oclc=2929852 }}</ref>

'''Abdullah Khan's invasion'''

In 1609, Mahabat Khan was replaced by [[Abdallah (Moghul Khan)|Abdullah Khan]] who was able to achieve initial success from 1609 to 1611. In an attack by Abdullah Khan on [[Chavand, Rajasthan|Chavand]], about 2000–3000 Rajputs staying there fought till death and Amar Singh was forced to abandon the capital. Abdullah Khan was eventually defeated by Mewari forces at Battle of Ranakpur in 1611 rendering his expedition a total failure.<ref>
{{cite book |author=Ram Vallabh Somani |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NcIBAAAAMAAJ |title=History of Mewar, from Earliest Times to 1751 A.D. |publisher=Mateshwari |pages=248–250 |year=1976 |oclc=2929852 }}</ref> He was then dispatched as governor of Gujarat in 1611 and at his request Raja Basu was appointed to the command of the Mughul army in Rajasthan. But apparently he was defeated again and failed to meet the objectives. He was recalled and Khan A‘zam [[Mirza Aziz Koka]] sent in 1613 to replace him.<ref>{{cite book| last=Maujumdar|first=RC|title=History and Culture of the Indian People, Volume 07, The Mughul Empire| year=1970| isbn=9788172765699| page=341}}</ref>

'''Final conflicts'''

Upon his request for assistance, in 1613, Jahangir himself came to Rajputana to supervise the campaign. His son [[Shah Jahan|Khurram]] led the campaign on the ground. The Rajputs were easily able to seek refuge in the hilly tracks of Rajputana and the Mughals largely failed to penetrate the area. They were finally able to penetrate it in 1614 when they engaged with the Mewar forces and established outposts. Many attempts were made by Jahangir to reach a settlement with the Maharana and the final attempt in 1615 succeeded when Amar Singh agreed to meet with Prince Khurram.<ref>
{{cite book |author=Ram Vallabh Somani |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NcIBAAAAMAAJ |title=History of Mewar, from Earliest Times to 1751 A.D. |publisher=Mateshwari |pages=252–255 |year=1976 |oclc=2929852 }}</ref>

The long war had depleted Amar Singh's resources and thus he prepared to submit. His step caused the 48 years long war of attrition to come to an end. There were strict instructions from Jahangir to Khurram to treat Amar Singh honourably as Jahangir notes:

In 1615, Amar Singh submitted to Mughals. The condition of submission were framed in such a manner so as to befit both sides. Due to his old age, Amar Singh was not asked to attend the Mughal Court in person and Mewar including [[Chittor]] was assigned to him as ''Watan [[Jagir]]''. The successor of Amar Singh, Karan Singh on the other hand was given a rank of 5000. Mughals on the other hand secured their interest by prohibiting the fortifications of the Mewar.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h7kPQs8llvkC&pg=PT323|title=Emperors Of The Peacock Throne: The Saga of the Great Moghuls|author=Abraham Eraly|publisher=Penguin UK|year=2007|isbn=978-9351180937 |access-date=2020-09-23 }}</ref>

==Peace treaty==
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 would 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.{{sfn|Chandra|2006|p=123}}
*It was also agreed that the Ranas of Mewar would not enter into matrimonial relations with the Mughals.{{sfn|Chandra|2006|p=123}}
*Mewar would have to keep a contingent of 1500 horsemen in the Mughal service.<ref>{{cite book| last=Sharma|first=Sri Ram|title=Maharana Raj Singh and his Times| year=1971| isbn=8120823982| page=14}}</ref>
*Chittor and other Mughal occupied areas of Mewar would be returned to the Rana, but the 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.{{sfn|Chandra|2006|p=123}}
*The Rana would be given a Mughal rank of 5000 zat and 5000 sowar.<ref name="Medieval India pg.123-124">Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals Part - II By Satish Chandra pg.123-124</ref>
*The rulers of [[Dungarpur State|Dungarpur]] and [[Banswara State|Banswara]] (who had become independent during Akbar's reign) would once again become vassals of Mewar and pay tribute to the Rana.<ref name="Medieval India pg.123-124"/>

Later, when Amar Singh went to meet Jahangir at [[Ajmer]], he was given a warm welcome by the [[Mughal Emperor]]. The territories around [[Chittorgarh|Chittor]], along with the [[Chittor Fort]], were given back to Mewar as a goodwill gesture.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/place/India/Jahangir#ref485820 Jahangir - Emperor of India - Encyclopaedia Britannica]</ref> However, [[Udaipur]] remained the capital of [[Mewar]] State.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://udaipur.rajasthan.gov.in/content/raj/udaipur/en/about-udaipur/history.html#|title=Udaipur History|website=Rajasthan Government official|access-date=2020-09-25}}</ref>

==Assessment==
Amar Singh was admired for his bravery, leadership, valour, and sense of justice and kindness. He showed great valour against the Mughals to which he was given the title 'Chakraveer'.{{sfn|Mathur|1994|p=23}} Amar Singh patronised an author called Mathuratmaja ("son of Mathura"), who wrote ''Amara-bhushana'' ([[IAST]]: ''Amarabhūṣaṇa'') and ''Ishta-ghatika-shodhana'' (''Iṣṭaghaṭikāśodhana''). These works are sometimes attributed to Amar Singh (Amara-siṃha).<ref>{{cite book |editor=David Pingree |editor-link=David Pingree |title=Census of the Exact Sciences in Sanskrit Series A |volume=1 |publisher=American Philosophical Society |year=1970 |url=https://archive.org/details/PingreeCESS/Pingree_CESS_A1_1970/ |page=45 }}</ref>

==Death==

The remaining years of Amar Singh’s reign were uneventful. It is said that he felt the insult of accepting a Mughal farman so keenly that he retired to his private chamber, leaving the administration in the hands of the heir-apparent, [[Karan Singh II]]. He died on 26 January 1620.<ref name="Chandra satish"/><ref>{{cite book| last=Maujumdar|first=RC|title=History and Culture of the Indian People, Volume 07, The Mughul Empire| year=1970| isbn=9788172765699| page=344}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Chundawat]]
*[[Shaktawat]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=nb}}
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* {{citation|last=Nicoll| first=Fergus| title= Shah Jahan|year=2009|isbn=9780670083039|publisher=Penguin Books|location=[[India]]}}
* {{citation|first=Satish|last=Chandra|title=Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals (1206–1526)|volume=2|publisher=Har-Anand Publications|date=2006}}
* {{citation|title=Costumes of the Rulers of Mewar: With Patterns and Construction Techniques|first=Pushpa Rani|last=Mathur|date=1994|publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=9788170172932|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HnZKSg4crdcC}}
* {{citation|title=The Mughul Empire (1526–1803 A.D.)|first=Ashirbadi Lal|last=Srivastava|date=1969}}
* {{citation|title=The Pearson Guide To The Central Police Forces Examination, 2/E|last=Thorpe|date=September 2010|publisher=Pearson Education India |isbn=9788131729052|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_LgHK5PNxXUC}}

{{S-start}}
{{S-hou|[[Sisodia Dynasty|Sisodia Rajput Clan]]||16 March 1559||26 January 1620}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Maharana Pratap]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Sisodia Dynasty|Sisodia Rajput Ruler]]
|years=1597–1620}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Karan Singh II]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Amar, I}}
[[Category:1559 births]]
[[Category:1620 deaths]]
[[Category:17th-century Indian monarchs]]

[[Category:Maharana Pratap]]
[[Category:Monarchs of Mewar]]
[[Category:Hindu monarchs]]

Amar Singh I - Revision history

MargretGerken at 16:25, 27 November 2025