Maharana
Raj Singh I, the 58th Custodian of the House of Mewar with his
accomplishments and strategies have always awed people with his
courageousness. Even the eulogies are not enough in his praise. MMCF documented
and privileged to share the intrigues in the life and times of Maharana
Raj Singh I under the patronage and guidance of the 76th Custodian, Shriji
Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur. MMCF, a living institution, is an initiative of
the Custodians of the House of Mewar for perpetuation of its core values, such
as service to society and mankind. Shriji feels that in contemporary times, we
should move away from a singular cultural identification and our endeavour
should not identify the city with any one particular monument, or any single
concept and idea, however unique it may be. ‘We envision Udaipur as a
destination that is the embodiment of a living heritage that is sustaining the
essence of the past, yet continually updating itself with modern elements’ he
says.
Early
life of Maharana Raj Singh I (r. 1652 – 1680 CE)
Maharana
Raj Singh I was a very prominent ruler of the post medieval era known for his
courage and diplomacy. According to ‘Rajratnakar’ by Sadashiv Bhatt and ‘Rajprashasti’
by Ranchod Bhatt - Maharana Raj Singh I is popularly remembered as a kind and
religious ruler, canny military commander, an able administrator, patron of
arts, architecture and literature. Kanwar Raj Singh was born to Maharana Jagat
Singh I and Jana Devi (daughter of Raj Singh Rathore of Merta) on 24th
September 1629 CE. After the demise of Maharana Jagat Singh I, Raj Singh
ascended the throne of Mewar. He occupied the throne of Mewar on 10th October
1652 CE. In the following month, of the same year he went to Shree Eklingnath ji
Temple and did 'Tula Dan' of precious gems and stones. He was anointed as the
next ruler of Mewar, according to the Hindu almanac at the auspicious time on 4th
February 1653 CE. That day, he also sat for 'Tula Dan' against silver. History
records that, the 58th Custodian of the House of Mewar, Maharana Raj Singh I
holds a prestigious position in his 28 years of reign. Raj Singh excelled in
art of politics, struggled against the Mughals all his life maintaining
independence of Mewar, and managed the finances of Mewar very efficiently in
critical times.
Mewar
at the time of Maharana Raj Singh
When
Kanwar Raj Singh ascended the throne of Mewar, after the demise of Maharana
Jagat Singh I, Shah Jahan was the Mughal emperor who was a tolerant ruler, but
tyrant Aurangzeb succeeded him. During the reign of Maharana Jagat Singh I,
some parganas of Mewar including Purmandal, Kherabad, Mandalgarh, Jahajpur,
Sawer, Banera, Phuliya, Badnor, Hurda etc. were under Mughal Control. Later, during the accession crisis in the
Mughal Empire, Prince Aurangzeb had scored decisive victories against Prince
Dara Shikoh. Maharana Raj Singh shrewdly refrained from responding to Dara's
call for assistance, supported Aurangzeb, and wisely kept on strengthening his
own kingdom. Maharana Raj Singh's neutrality in the war succession resulted in
vast territorial gains for Mewar. He reoccupied Mandalgarh, Dariba, Banera,
Jahajpur, Sawer, Phulia, Kekadi etc. in the turbulent times of Shah Jahan's
illness. He empowered Malpura, Toda, Tonk, Sawer, Lalsot and Chatsu. Maharana
also established his hegemony over Dungarpur, Banswara Pratapgarh, Gyaspur and
Dewalia. Maharana also set peace with local Bhils. He recruited them in his
army, solidifying his army and defence thus settling peace in Mewar.
Mewar
- Mughal Relations
A
treaty was signed between Maharana Amar Singh I and Mughal Emperor Jahangir in
1615 CE. The relations were smoothened after the treaty. When Aurangzeb became
the emperor, his religious policies grew so harsh that Maharana could not
resist opposing him. He also continued to breech the treaty with Mughals by
repairing the fort Chittorgarh like his father. However, Maharana continued his
relations with the Mughals diplomatically. In year 1658 CE, Kanwar Sultan Singh
went to congratulate Aurangzeb for his success in the war of Mughal succession.
Delighted with this meeting, Aurangzeb returned all the provinces captured by
the Mughals during the time of Maharana Jagat Singh I. In 1660 CE, Kishangarh's
Princess Charumati sent marriage proposal to Maharana Raj Singh, as she was
forced to marry Aurangzeb. He abducted her and married her, which outraged
Aurangzeb. In 1669 CE, Aurangzeb gave the order to destroy Hindu temples and
educational institutions and re-imposed Jaziya, Maharana opposed it openly.
However, when Maharana gave refuge to Maharaja Ajit Singh of Jodhpur, Aurangzeb
finally attacked Mewar. He attacked in 1679 CE. The Maharana resisted the
attack by using guerilla tactics. Aurangzeb was opposed at Debari, after which
he reached Udaipur. He ordered the destruction of Jagdish Temple. It was
resisted by 20 warriors of Mewar, with their leader Naruji and all died there
itself. Mughal forces destroyed many idols in the temple complex. Aurangzeb
ordered his men to find the Maharana in the mountains, however no one
succeeded. Disappointed Aurangzeb went to Delwara, destroyed temples and left
for Ajmer.
Establishing
the Hindu Temples and opposition to Jaziya
Aurangzeb,
the Mughal emperor by his policies he had abandoned his predecessors' legacy of
pluralism and religious tolerance, citing his reintroduction of the Jaziya tax.
On his 53th birth anniversary, he ordered the demolition of all-important
temples within his empire and schools. It resulted in relocation of many idols
to safer places because of this order. In this chaos, there was some family
dispute in the Goswami brothers of Pushtimarg Haveli's Third House belonging to
Shree Dwarkadheeshji of Gokul. Thus, Goswami Vrajbhushanlal ji first went to
Ahemdabad with the idol of Shree Dwarkadheeshji, but he was not sure about the
protection there. Therefore, he sent a letter to Maharana Raj Singh who assured
him for complete protection and invited him to Mewar. In 1670 CE, the idol of
Shree Dwarkadheeshji came from Ahmedabad to village Sadri in Mewar. The
consecration of Shree Dwaradheeshji was ritualized in Asautiya. Later, Maharana
Sangram Singh II consecrated the temple at Girdhargarh, Kankroli in year 1719
CE, on the bank of Rajsamand Lake. Due to the intolerance of Aurangzeb, Goswami
Hariray Mahaprabhuji supervised the journey of Shree Vitthalnathji to Kheda
Village (Nathdwara) through Khamnor. In the same manner, on 26th October 1669,
Goswami Damodarlalji left from Giriraj Goverdhandham near Mathura with the idol
of Shreenathji and reached Mewar via Agra, Kota, Bundi, Pushkar, Kishangarh,
Chopasani (Jodhpur). From Jodhpur, he sent his uncle Govind ji (Gopinathji) to meet
the Maharana. Maharana discussed this issue with his mother and graciously
welcomed Shreenathji prabhu to Mewar and promised full protection by all means.
After that Goswami Damodarlalji along with Shreenathji Prabhu reached Mewar. On
20th February 1672 CE, Maharana went to welcome Shreenathji Prabu in Mewar and
granted the Village of Sihad (Nathdwara) for the establishment of Shreenathji's
Temple which is 12 miles from Udaipur and the temple was consecrated. On 2nd
April 1679 CE, Jaziya tax was re-imposed on non-Muslims by Aurangzeb and the
order to demolish the Hindu temples was an act of absolutism. Maharana Raj
Singh opposed the Mughal emperor. He wrote a disapproving letter to the
emperor.
Relations
of Mewar with other Kingdoms
Maharana
Raj Singh was a farsighted and able ruler. When he decided to oppose the Mughal
rule, he maintained good relations with his neighbouring kingdoms. During the
peace period in Mewar, the defence forces were highly strategized through which
many of the discreet neighbouring kingdoms like Dungarpur, Banswara and
Pratapgarh were forced to accept Mewar's suzerainty but through respectful
means. He also had matrimonial alliances to strengthen the political situation
in Mewar. Maharana Raj Singh married Kunwerbai of Bundi, daughter of Rao
Shatrushal in his princely period. He also had matrimonial alliances with
Jaisalmer, Idar, Kishangarh too. Maharana's sister was married to Bikaner
Prince Anup Singh and daughter Ajab Kunwar to Prince Bhav Singh of Bandhav.
When Aurangzeb tried to conquer Marwar, he also gave refuge to the infant king
of Marwar Ajit Singh, son of Maharaja Jaswant Singh in his captivity. In this
era of continues struggle, Maharana Raj Singh gave refuge and aid to the brave
warrior Durgadas Rathore, who was known for his Mughal resistance. When
Sirohi's Prince Udaybhan captivated his own father and sat on the throne, the
Maharana heard of this unjust act and he ordered Ram Singh Ranawat to attack
Sirohi. Udaybhan lost the battle and fled. King Akheraj was reinstated on the
throne. Maharana was maintaining peace treaties and friendly relations, with
other kingdoms. In addition, when Maharana built Rajsamand lake, he also sent
many valuable gifts to Jodhpur, Amer, Bundi, Bikaner, Rampura, Jaisalmer,
Dungarpur and Riva, including jewels, horses and elephants. Thus, Maharana
increased the number of his supporting kingdoms and that is why he was able to
oppose Mughal supremacy.
Constructions
by Maharana Raj Singh
Maharana
Raj Singh's political strategies were so strong that in despite of such tough
situations, he was able to devote time and money for construction in Mewar.
During his heir - apparent period Kunwar Raj Singh built a Palace called
Sarvaritu Vilas (Sarbat Vilas) and got a step-well made nearby. In 1659 CE, he
completed the fort wall and the gate at Debari. He completed half built temples
of Lord Shiva, Surya, Ganpati and Shani in Shree Jagdish Temple, Udaipur which
were half built in his father's time. Raj Singh constructed the largest lake of
the time known as Rajsamundra (1662-1676 CE), with Nau Chowki Pal and a palace
was constructed on the nearby hill and along with Shree Dwarakdheeshji Temple.
Near the lake, a town with his name Rajnagar also prospered. In 1664 CE, he
built Shree Amba Mata temple in Udaipur. He built Lake Janasagar (Badi), west
of Udaipur named after his mother Jana Devi near village Badi. Maharana also
got constructed a new bridge near Indrasar (Indrasarover) at Eklingji. His
queen Jhali Maharani got constructed a step-well called Ekmukhi Bawdi,
Chittorgarh. In 1675 CE, queen Charumati
got built a step well at Rajnagar and Queen Panwar Rani got the Step well named
'Jaya Bavdi' made at Debari, now known as Trimukhi Bavdi. In 1668 CE, his son
Kunwar Jai Singh built the Lake Rang Sagar. His minister, Fatehchand also got a
step-well built at village Bedwas.
Sons
of Maharana Raj Singh - Sultan Singh and Sardar Singh
In
Mewar, there is a local custom of worshipping 'Sagas ji' considered as 'Lok
Devtas', lesser Gods and both the sons of Maharana Raj Singh, Sultan Singh and
Sardar Singh are worshipped as such. The local folklore is that, the mother of
Kunwar Sardar Singh wanted her son to be the next Maharana and she brainwashed
Raj Singh with the help of a priest against Kunwar Sultan Singh. Thus, Kunwar
Sultan Singh was assassinated. Then, the Rani wrote a note to her confident
priest saying that she has got rid of Kunwar Sultan Singh, now the should
poison the Maharana so that her son Kunwar Sardar Singh could ascend the throne
of Mewar. After some time, this treachery planned by the Rani and the Purohit
came out in the open and Maharana was very angry, so much so that the Rani and
the Purohit were executed immediately. When Kunwar Sardar Singh came to know of
this intrigue, he took poison and he died, as he felt deeply grieved because of
his elder brother being put in the wrong of whom he was very fond of. Elder
brother Kunwar Sultan Singh's cenotaph is at Sarvaritu Vilas and younger Kunwar
Sardar Singh's cenotaph is at Kanwarpada Mahal, where they both are worshiped
as Sagas ji.
Contribution
of Maharana Raj Singh in Literature and Art
Due
to Maharana Raj Singh's love for art, architecture and literature, his period
was a time of literary development even in the times of struggle. Where on one
hand Maharana was struggling with the Mughals, on the other hand, he himself
wrote poems. He gave royalty to many Sanskrit scholars, poets, artists and
architects thus continued to contribute in enriching art and literature. During
the time of Maharana Raj Singh, important texts such as Ranchod Bhatt's
Rajprashasti Mahakavyam, Sadashiv's Rajratnakar, Mankavi's Rajavilas,
Rajprakash by Kishordas were composed and manuscripts of historical texts were
also copied under Maharana's guidance. The principal engravers of Rajasamudra
were Mukund, Dalapati Maha Singh, Mokam Singh, Vyagrah who materialised
Maharana Raj Singh's speculative imagination. The idols built at Ekmukhi,
Sundar and Trimukhi step wells indicate the developed sculpture art. Chawand
painting school, which began during the period of Maharana Pratap, was also
glorified during his reign. With the arrival of Shreenathji in Mewar, the
emergence of a new painting school - Nathdwara style of painting was developed
during this period, which is also known as Pichhwai.
Munificence
of Maharana Raj Singh
By
his benevolence and religiosity one comes to know about his large heartedness.
His 'Daan' and benevolence is documented in 'Rajprashsthi' at many places in
which there are 'Tula Daan' of gems and precious stones, gold, silver etc. From
time to time he organized religious functions and carried out giving various
types of gifts 'Daans' including elephants, horses, cows, cash and land for
cultivation and revenue earning. He even made his Rani's and sons give away
gifts in 'Tula Daan'. He also went on many pilgrimages where on religious
places he gave away gifts and carried out 'Daan'. For general public he also
organized central kitchens in time of famine and organized digging of well,
step - wells and dams to mitigate natural calamity. He also organize common
marriages for poor girls.
Manuscript
illustrations under the patronage of Maharana Raj Singh I
Manuscript
illustrations in Mewar during the reign of Maharana Raj Singh I, have concentrated
on regional painting styles. It was based on religion, literary and historical
texts. First, Maharana Jagat Singh I, r. 1628 - 1652 CE initiated Manuscript painting project,
under the charge of Sahibdin. After the demise of Maharana Jagat Singh I, Maharana
Raj Singh’s patronage of manuscript painting continued unabated and thus after
his accession he got the Ramayana Series completed, which was started by his
father Maharana Jagat Singh I. Initially, three independent painting workshops
continued at Udaipur under the charge of Sahibdin, Manohar and Deccani
Painters. Sukarakshetramahatmya series (1655 CE), Sur Sagar (1655 CE), Raga
Malkaus - Ragamala (1660 CE), Gitagovinda series (1665 CE), Bhagavata Purana
Series (1665-70 CE), Gajendramoksha series (1680 CE) and Eklingamahatmya series
(1680 CE) were illustrated during his reign.
Gajendramoksha
Series
Gajendramoksha a prayer, addressed
to lord Vishnu by Gajendra (king of elephants) is one of the most magnificent
hymns of Bhakti from the Bhagwat Puran. According to Bhagwat Puran Lord Vishnu
comes down to earth to protect the Gajendra from the clutches of a crocodile.
Lord Vishnu said to Gajendra that he, in one of his previous births, had been
the celebrated King Indradyumna, a devotee of Vishnu, but due to
his disrespect to the great Saint Agastya,
he had been cursed to be reborn as an elephant. After that, Gajendra realized
his mistake and totally surrendered himself to Lord Vishnu. Gajendra achieved
Moksha or liberation from cycle of birth and death with the help of Lord
Vishnu. In 1680 CE, Gajendramoksha manuscript illustration was started and
followed the Sahibdin’s painting style. Sahibdin’s painting compositions
are full of brilliant colors and are endowed with religious fervor; these
characters are also shown in Gajendramoksha series. The Painting above
describes the arrival of Lord Vishnu on Garuda and libration of Gajendra.
Eklingamahatmya
Series: Eklingamahatmya was composed by Kanh Vyasa during the reign
of Maharana Kumbha, r. 1433 – 1468. This book described the early history of Mewar
from Bappa Rawal, r. 734 – 753, onwards. In 1680 CE, Eklingamahatmya series
illustration started under the commission inspired partly by the Maharana’s
historical and genealogical interest. The illustration shows a speckled
background with clothes, tree and foliage. In the painting one can see, the
Abhishek of Shree Eklingnath ji through the milk of the revered cow, Kamdhenu.
All other Gods and Godesses including Lord Brahma are praying to Shree
Eklingnath ji, manifestation of Lord Shiva. .
Sur
Sagar Series: Surdas ji, was a
16th-century Vaishnav devotional poet and singer,
though blind from his birth, who was known for his lyrics written in praise of
Shree Krishna. They are usually written in Braj Bhasha. Surdas ji's
collection is also a part of the Bhakti Movement in India. The collection Sur
Sagar (Sur's Ocean) is traditionally attributed to Surdas ji. It is
believed that Surdas ji intended to complete 1,25,000 hymns on Shree Krishna
but could only complete 1,00,000 and the rest were completed by Shreenath ji
itself according to ‘Churyasi Vaishnavo ki Varta’. The Sur Sagar in
its present form focuses on descriptions of Krishna as a lovable child, written
from the Gopis' perspective. This series was compiled between 1655-60
CE by Monohar and his painting style. This series shows a collobration of
several artists. In the paintings we see the illustration of Janmashtmi Kirtan,
‘Rani tero cheerjiyo gopal’. The use of colors in this series is very vibrant.
The kirtan is a blessing to Shree Krishna’s mother on his birthday for a long
and healthy life. The painting also shows the childhood adventures of Shree
Krishna.
Geet
Govinda series
The Geet Govinda is a work composed in Sanskrit by the 12th-century Hindu poet, Jayadeva. It
describes the relationship between Krishna and the Gopis’ (female cow herders) of Vrindavana, and in
particularly Radha ji. The Geet Govinda is organized into twelve chapters. Each chapter
is further sub-divided into twenty-four divisions called Prabandhas. The
Prabandhas contain couplets grouped into eights, called Ashtapadis. It is
mentioned here that Radha is greater than Krishna. The text also elaborates the eight moods of Heroine, the Ashta Nayika. This series
is made in a vertical format with a plain background. The style attributes to
Deccan influence dated 1655 CE. The painting shows Shree Krishna sitting with
Radha ji in a garden discussing about various plants.
Demise
of Maharana Raj Singh I
Maharana
Raj Singh has been known as very courageous and he wants to fight Aurangzeb
till his last breath. However, when he was travelling to Kumbhalgarh the royal
camp was set up at a village called Oda. He was poisoned. He died on 22nd
October 1680 CE. He was cremated in Oda village only, where now stands a
cenotaph in his remembrance.
