Mughal conquest of Mewar

The Mughal conquest of Mewar was a military campaign led by Shah Jahan under the command of Emperor Jahangir in 1615.[1] After a year of harsh attrition warfare, Rana Amar Singh I surrendered conditionally to the Mughal forces, effectively becoming a vassal state of the Mughal Empire.[2][3][4]

Mughal conquest of Mewar 1615
Part of Mughal conquests

Surrender of Amar Singh I to Shah Jahan
Date1613-1616
Location
Mewar
Status

Mughal victory

•Amar Singh I surrendered
Territorial
changes		 Mewar became a vassal of Mughal Empire
Belligerents
Mughal Empire Mewar
Commanders and leaders
Shah Jahan Amar Singh I Surrendered
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.

Background

Amar Singh I, who succeeded Maharana Pratap, continued to defy the Mughals despite having nothing to lose. Following initial strikes, the Mughals took control of the plains of Mewar, forcing Amar Singh and his father into hiding. When Jahangir ascended to the throne, he launched a series of assaults against Amar Singh. Perhaps Jahangir blamed himself for his failure to subdue Sisodia Dynasty, as he had entrusted this task to Amar Singh twice before under Akbar's rule. Thus, Jahangir was determined to defeat Amar Singh and sent Prince Parviz to subdue him, leading to the Battle of Dewair. However, Parviz had to halt the campaign due to Khusrau Mirza's rebellion.[5] In reality, the battle was mainly commanded by Jahangir's brother-in-law, Asaf Khan, with Parviz serving as a symbolic figurehead.[6]

The submission of Amar Singh I to Shah Jahan

After this unsuccessful attempt, Jahangir sent Mahabat Khan, Abdullah Khan and Prince Khurram in succession. The prolonged war depleted Amar Singh's resources, and he eventually prepared to submit.[7][8]

Aftermath

In 1615, Amar Singh submitted to the Mughals. The terms of submission were designed to satisfy both sides. Due to his advanced age, Amar Singh was not required to personally attend the Mughal court, and he was granted Mewar, including Chittor, as a watan jagir (territory granted as a hereditary estate). On the other hand, Amar Singh's successor, Karan Singh, received a rank of 5000. Meanwhile, the Mughals safeguarded their interests by prohibiting the fortification of Mewar.[9]

Peace treaty

Following the financial and manpower devastation caused by numerous battles against the Mughals, Amar Singh deemed it wise to initiate negotiations with them. Eventually, he entered into a treaty with Shah Jahan, who negotiated on behalf of Jahangir, in 1615. Amar Singh received counsel from his advisors, including his grandmother, Jaiwanta Bai.

According to the treaty, the ruler of Mewar was not obligated to personally appear at the Mughal court; instead, a relative of the Rana would represent him and serve the Mughal Emperor.[10] Additionally, the agreement stipulated that the Ranas of Mewar were prohibited from forming matrimonial relations with the Mughals.[11] Mewar was also required to maintain a contingent of 1500 horsemen in the Mughal service.[12]

In recognition of his submission, the Rana was granted a Mughal rank of 5000 zat (infantry soldiers) and 5000 sowar (cavalry soldiers).[13]

Later, when Amar Singh I visited Jahangir at Ajmer, he received a warm welcome from the Mughal Emperor, and the territories surrounding Chittor, including the Chittor Fort, were returned to Mewar as a goodwill gesture.[14]

References
  1. Jahangir, Emperor of Hindustan; Thackston, W. M. (Wheeler McIntosh) (1999). The Jahangirnama : memoirs of Jahangir, Emperor of India. Smithsonian Libraries. Washington, D. C. : Freer Gallery of Art, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution ; New York : Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-512718-8.
  2. Nicoll, Fergus (2018-04-13). Shah-Jahan: The Rise and Fall of the Mughal Emperor. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. ISBN 978-93-87326-95-8.
  3. Asher, Catherine Blanshard (1992-09-24). Architecture of Mughal India. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-26728-1.
  4. Jahan, Dr Ishrat. Socio-Cultural life in Medieval History. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-0-359-22280-3.
  5. Eraly, Abraham (2007-09-17). Emperors Of The Peacock Throne: The Saga of the Great Moghuls. Penguin Books Limited. ISBN 978-93-5118-093-7.
  6. Jahangir, Emperor of Hindustan; Thackston, W. M. (Wheeler McIntosh) (1999). The Jahangirnama : memoirs of Jahangir, Emperor of India. Smithsonian Libraries. Washington, D. C. : Freer Gallery of Art, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution ; New York : Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-512718-8.
  7. Nicoll, Fergus (2018-04-13). Shah-Jahan: The Rise and Fall of the Mughal Emperor. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. ISBN 978-93-87326-95-8.
  8. Sharma, Sri Ram (1971). Maharana Raj Singh and His Times. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. ISBN 978-81-208-2398-3.
  9. Eraly, Abraham (2007-09-17). Emperors Of The Peacock Throne: The Saga of the Great Moghuls. Penguin Books Limited. ISBN 978-93-5118-093-7.
  10. Satish, Chandra (2006). Medical India:From Sultanate to Mughals(1206-1506),vol 2 (2nd Volume ed.). Har-Anand Publications. ISBN 8124112681.
  11. "India - Mughal-Mewar Conflict, Niẓām Shāhīs, Marathas, Mahābat Khan Rebellion | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  12. Kinra, Rajeev (2015-09-22). Writing Self, Writing Empire: Chandar Bhan Brahman and the Cultural World of the Indo-Persian State Secretary. Univ of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-96168-5.
  13. Chandra, Satish (1997). Medieval India: Delhi Sultanat, 1206-1526. Har-Anand Publications. ISBN 978-81-241-0522-1.
  14. "India - Mughal-Mewar Conflict, Niẓām Shāhīs, Marathas, Mahābat Khan Rebellion | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
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