This article is about the
beauty of relationship that the Amer Royal Family shared with Akbar. Note that - MUZ means Mariam-Uz-Zamani.
Special thanks to Ms. Lizzy for providing information for this article.
1. When Raja Bhagwan Das was seeing off his daughter(Man Bai) on her marriage to Prince Salim, he said to Akbar - "My daughter is the girl of your palace and we are your slaves. To which Akbar immediately replied - "Your daughter is the Queen of our palace and you are our Great Lord".
2. Unlike earlier times when all contact was snapped after such marriages, Akbar maintained good relationship and 'continued visits' to Rajput relatives. Akbar sent his wife Harka Bai/MUZ to personally convey the condolence to her parents on the death of her brother Bhupat Singh. This happened around 1572-73, after the Battle in Gujarat. In this battle, Man Singh and Bhagwan Das also took part. The command was led by young Man Singh and Bhagwan Das stood side by side with Akbar, in the battle.
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| Portrait of Raja Bhagwan Das of Amer (1574-1589 AD.) From Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, The City Palace Jaipur |
3. It can also be seen, that Akbar bestowed respect on his in-laws. After the conquest of Odisha(Orissa), Akbar ordered his son Prince Salim to go out to meet Raja Man Singh 'personally' and bring him to the King' s(Akbar) presence when the latter had come to pay his respects to Akbar at Lahore.
4. Rajput influence was so much resented in the Mughal Circles that men like Abdul Qa'adir Badayuni did not mention that he was writing a book on the reign of Akbar, until Jahangir' s reign started. This is because he had used strong language in condemnation of Akbar's Rajput marriages, the influence of Rajputs, and his liberal nature.
5. It can now be understood about the resentment, that the heirs of Mughals were produced by Rajput princess. There was also resentment that Akbar's Rajput wives though outwardly seemed to live like Muslims(as they practiced their faith in the confines of harem), still during their life-time practiced Hindu religion. Akbarnama gives us information about the revolts and rebellions in Akbar's reign. There were 144 such incidents, half of it due to his religious policies and the acceptance of Hinduism in his close circle. It is also said that Akbar wrote his Prince's horoscopes after the birth of Salim.
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| Raja Man Singh | of Amer (1589 - 1614 AD) From Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, The City Palace Jaipur |
6. As everybody knows Salim's First Wife was Raja Bhagwan Das's daughter, Man Bai. The reason given for her selection in by Abu'l Fazl in Ain-i-Akbari is the "fine genetic pool" she brings with her. So what does this have say about Akbar's thoughts on Harka Bai/MUZ and her Amer Family ?? Clearly, this refers to the high standards/respect which Akbar had in his mind about the Amer Clan. More can be read here : Akbar visits Amber to conduct marriage of Salim and Man Bai
7. The following information is from the translation of Badayuni's work. The following lines are written for the Princess of Amer, Daughter of Raja Bharmal. The same thing has also been observed by Eraly in his Work on Mughals.
"
Akbar' s marriage to the princess of
Amer was significant. He allowed the princess to remain a Hindu, maintain a
Hindu shrine in the royal palace and he himself participated in the Puja she
performed.
"
This act of Akbar was of great resentment for the theologians of his time, as it was against Islam to worship "idols", but Akbar did it, much to the ire of Badayuni.
8. This is about the status of Amer's Princes in the Mughal Court, as stated by Abu'l Fazl in Ain-i-Akbari.
This act of Akbar was of great resentment for the theologians of his time, as it was against Islam to worship "idols", but Akbar did it, much to the ire of Badayuni.
8. This is about the status of Amer's Princes in the Mughal Court, as stated by Abu'l Fazl in Ain-i-Akbari.
"
Of the 27 Rajputs in His Majesty' s list of Mansabdars , 13 were of the Amer Clan. Some rose to positions nearly as high as those of Imperial Princes. Raja Bhagwan Das bore the title of Amir-ul-Umara(Chief among nobles) and his son Raja Man Singh rose even higher earning immense wealth and power. Man Singh became a mansabdar of the rank of 7000, which was the highest position available at that time, and other than him, Akbar's Foster brother, Mirza Aziz Koka(Son of Atga Khan and Jiji Anga) had this rank.
"
Of the 27 Rajputs in His Majesty' s list of Mansabdars , 13 were of the Amer Clan. Some rose to positions nearly as high as those of Imperial Princes. Raja Bhagwan Das bore the title of Amir-ul-Umara(Chief among nobles) and his son Raja Man Singh rose even higher earning immense wealth and power. Man Singh became a mansabdar of the rank of 7000, which was the highest position available at that time, and other than him, Akbar's Foster brother, Mirza Aziz Koka(Son of Atga Khan and Jiji Anga) had this rank.
9. The princes of Amer retained their freedom of speech. They were no timid sycophants or servile tools of a despot. Bhagwan Das had the courage to refuse to embrace Akbar's new found faith "Din-i-illahi". He did not care for the pantheistic subtleties but replied that - " I can understand Hinduism and Islam, but asked what is this New fangled religion, which is neither .?. And, Akbar had the wisdom of accepting his decision. " ... From Al-Badouni, Vol. 2, Pg-323 .
Clearly, above incident shows the level of understanding / comfort / amicability, these 2 people had. Otherwise, who else could DARE say a NO to the Emperor, that TOO, so directly.! Both of them were on very friendly terms.
He was given the title of Bankey Raja by Akbar, citing his exceptional bravery. He maintained his freedom of speech while giving advice to the Emperor on important political matters. He was also given the title of Amir-ul-Umara (meaning Chief Noble, which was reserved for Select few trusted ones) by Akbar, meaning the Head of Nobles.
Abul Fazl praises him as follows -> "He was endowed with uprightness, weight of counsel and courage".
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Note:
Akbarnama, Volume-2, Chapter 68 EXPLICITLY mentions Akbar visited Amer.
Abu'l Fazl, explains -> " When His Majesty alighted at Amber, Raja Bhagwant Das, whose native town it was, came forward with sincerity and arranged a "feast {jashan}". He also tendered noble gifts."
Akbar was royally welcomed in the kingdom of Amber. Finally, Akbar reached agra on 11 May 1569. It is not clear, who all were present with Akbar on this trip. Trying to find this out.
Did anyone notice, how much time he spent in Amber.?.
>> Another documented incidence, when Akbar visited Amber with many other courtiers, was for the marriage of Salim with Man Bai, daughter of Raja Bhagwan Das, in 1585. This marriage at Amber, 'ALSO' took place in Hindu traditions.
This was the FIRST time, Akbar (or any other Mughal Emperor in the history of India) visited the bride's native place for conducting marriage ceremonies of his son. A separate blog article was written to describe this event : Akbar visits Amber to conduct marriage of Salim and Man Bai
Though, Internet Websites mention, Akbar never went to Amber. BUT, just by a casual read of Akbarnama, i could find 2 well-documented incidences (mentioned above) , when Akbar visited Amber. So, you all see, this was ANOTHER 'Story' , created on Internet about Akbar. There are more such incidences when he visited. And, even Akbarnama does not mentions all visits. Will keep updating in future posts.
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The article has been posted under the Rajputs and Mughals(Akbar) section of this history BLOG.
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