VALIANT VEER AMAR SINGH RATHORE

VALIANT VEER AMARSINGH RATHORE

Dr K Prabhakar Rao



Amar Singh Rathore is a historical legendary figure whose saga of bravery is unparallel and is sung around Agra region of India. He served Mughals there at Agra for a short period after being denied his right of inheritance at Nagaur in Rajasthan. Amar Singh Rathore was the eldest son to the Maharaja of Marwar and thus the obvious heir to the throne, but because of Amar Singh's snide behavior towards the new mughal spouse of his father, he was ordered by the Maharaja to remain in exile for rest of his life. He then retired to the Mughal court of Emperor Shahjahan. His exceptional gallantry on the battle fields impressed the emperor who bestowed upon him the chief ship of Nagaur and elevated him to a very high rank in the nobility.
Mughal emperor Shahjahan offered Amar Singh a significant post in his commission, which he eventually accepted. The emperor also granted him a mansab(significant land and personal army)thus making him a middle rank mansabdar. Amar Singh Rathore steadily gained promotions in Shahjahan's administration. He fought many important battles with unmatched valour and courage. He was famous for being unconventional.
Rathore made a mark for himself which sparked jealousy of fellow courtiers. The Muslim courtiers of the emperor were quite disturbed by the fact that a Hindu was getting significant recognisation in the court. Once, Rathore went for a hunting expedition without seeking King's permission. Shahjahan feeling insulted, summoned Rathore in his court and asked him for the reason of his absence. Rathore replied that he is not answerable to anyone, and also manifested his intentions by saying that "My sword is my only property, collect all tax from it who dares to do so."After that an angry courtier Salavat Khan assaulted Rathore saying'kya jaahil jaisi baatein karte ho Raavji', Amar singh killed Salavat Khan in presence of entire Mughal court, an incident considered an open insult to the Mughal throne. The entire Mughal force tried to capture him, as Shahjahan looked dumb founded. After a gallant fighting Amar singh escaped from the place, by jumping from the Agra fort mounted on his horse Bahadur. His horse Bahadur, a marwari horse died after the jump. A Chhatri or cenotaph of Bahadur at the foot step of Agra fort in the memory of Bahadur is a site for attraction for tourists even today.
Shahjahan wanted this affair to be settled at any cost. Then Amar Singh's brother-in-law, Arjun Gaud took responsibility to bring Amar Singh back to Shahjahan's court. Arjun told Amar Singh that Shahjahan is seeking a compromise and has invited Amar Singh to the fort. Infact this was a trap planned by the Arjun Gaud himself. The fort's main gate was closed and only a small window like gate in the main gate was opened. Amar Singh did not bent forward to enter the gate as it meant bending before the Mughal seat, instead he entered bending backwards, as Rathore entered in the fort's gate, Arjun Gaud and his men attacked him with swords and stabbed him, thus killing Amar Singh Rathore.Shahjahan kept Amar Singh Rathore's body that was thrown on a tower challenging the Rajputs to take it away. Amar Singh's wife told Ballu Champavat regarding the challenge and that she wanted to become a Sati with her husband's body. Ballu was a friend of Amar Singh but was not in good terms with him. After Ballu's wife sarcastically remarked that her husband was a coward Ballu accepted the challenge. Ballu reached Agra with chosen fifty of the bravest amongst Rathores. Maharana of Mewar sent a finest horse to Agra the same night for Ballu. Ballu Champavat entered Agra fort in the morning as the gates opened killing the Mughals coming in his way and with the body of Amar Singh Rathore he jumped from the Agra fort mounted on a horse. Badly injured Ballu Champavat died after delivering the body to the wife of Amar Singh who became a Sati with the body of his husband.
Amar singh Rathoret is considered an icon of extraordinary might, will, and freedom. Neither fear, nor greed were able to affect his decisions. He died as a free man. The bravery of Amar singh Rathore and Ballu Champavat is still remembered vide folk songs in Rajasthan and around Agra. A gate of Agra Fort was named after him as 'Amar Singh Gate' which is a major tourist attraction in Agra.