History sometimes brings to light events of the past, but it can also be unjust at times. This is especially true in the case of Amar Singh Rathore, the brave son of Marwar, whose pride, renown, and glory spread so far and wide that even today, hundreds of kilometers away from his Nagaur kingdom, in the former Mughal capital of Agra, a gate in the fort is still known as the “Amar Singh Gate.” The main gate of the Mughal capital’s fort bearing the name of this fearless Rajput Hindu warrior is like a single great lamp illuminating a deserted, shadow-filled building.
In this article, we will explore the story of this same brave and proud king, Amar Singh Rathore, who is also known as the “Master of the Dagger.” His fearless courage shook the entire Mughal empire, an empire from whose fortress this warrior emerged roaring like a lion.
Early Life
Amar Singh Rathore was born on December 11, 1613, as the eldest son of Maharaja Gaj Singh of the Jodhpur royal family. At that time, Jodhpur was a princely state under the Mughal Empire. Amar Singh possessed all the qualities of a proud and valiant ruler, and he was groomed from a young age to be the heir. His bravery, courage, and dignified nature were well-known across the kingdom, and he was seen by all as the future king of Jodhpur.
However, his younger brother, Jaswant Singh, also harbored ambitions for the throne and sought ways to remove Amar Singh and become the king himself. Ultimately, Jaswant Singh achieved his goal by influencing Maharaja Gaj Singh’s beloved wife, Anara Begum, who was persuaded of Jaswant’s suitability for the throne. Through her influence, Gaj Singh was pressured to declare Jaswant Singh as the heir, leading to a grave injustice against Amar Singh, who was deprived of his right to the throne and forced to leave Jodhpur. Later, the Mughal court granted Amar Singh the jagir of Nagaur.
Kingdom in Nagaur and the Famous “Matire Ri Raad” (Battle for the Watermelon)
As the ruler of Nagaur, Amar Singh Rathore became widely renowned. He earned respect not only from his subjects but also from the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, due to his valor and numerous acts of bravery on joint military campaigns. His reputation grew significantly in the Mughal capital, where Shah Jahan considered him a respected king. Amar Singh was a powerful ruler with an unwavering sense of pride for both himself and his kingdom.
A famous incident from 1644 highlights Amar Singh’s commitment to his people. Nagaur and Bikaner shared a border, with Amar Singh as the ruler of Nagaur and Karni Singh ruling Bikaner. The event began when a watermelon vine planted in Silwa, a village in Bikaner, extended into the village of Jakhania in Nagaur, resulting in a watermelon growing on Nagaur’s land. This seemingly trivial situation sparked a dispute, as both sides claimed the watermelon belonged to them.
The conflict escalated, and Amar Singh, valuing his farmers’ pride, decided to wage war against Bikaner over the matter. The dispute intensified so much that the Mughal Empire eventually had to intervene to stop the war. This incident exemplifies Amar Singh’s steadfastness to his royal duties, as he was willing to go to war over the rights of a single citizen, demonstrating his unwavering loyalty to his people.
Relations with the Mughal Court Turning Sour
Though Amar Singh was technically a ruler under the Mughal Empire, his pride was no less than that of a Mughal emperor. His fearless and dignified nature caused envy among other noblemen and ministers in the court, particularly Salabat Khan, the Mir Bakshi (royal treasurer) and brother-in-law of Emperor Shah Jahan. Once, Amar Singh went hunting without informing the emperor, an act Shah Jahan viewed as disrespectful. Amar Singh also frequently skipped court appearances for months, which only increased the emperor’s displeasure. With Salabat Khan repeatedly instigating him, Shah Jahan finally imposed a fine on Amar Singh and ordered him to appear in the Agra court immediately. Amar Singh, who was in Nagaur at the time, refused to pay the fine and delayed his court visit.
The Fury of the “Master of the Dagger” in the Agra Court
When Amar Singh eventually arrived at court, Salabat Khan’s anger was uncontainable due to Amar Singh’s disregard for the fine. As Amar Singh passed, Salabat muttered a derogatory remark, “Where do such misfits come from?” The insult enraged Amar Singh, who, right there in front of the emperor and the entire court, drew his dagger and severed Salabat Khan’s head from his body. Chaos erupted in the court as people scattered in fear. In that moment, Amar Singh considered killing the emperor himself and began advancing towards him, cutting down guards along the way. Seeing Amar Singh approach with a drawn dagger, Shah Jahan fled through a private door leading to the harem behind the throne and hid among the women. From a distance, Amar Singh threw his dagger at the emperor, but it struck a pillar, sparing Shah Jahan.
The Great Escape
Sensing the gravity of the situation, Amar Singh mounted his horse amidst the commotion in the court. With the roar and ferocity of a lion, he fought his way past soldiers and escaped through the fort’s famous Bukhari Gate. From that day on, the gate was known as “Amar Singh Darwaza,” and it remained closed after this incident until it was reopened by George Steel of the British East India Company.
End of Life and Legacy
Witnessing such defiance in his court, Shah Jahan’s anger toward Amar Singh reached a peak, and he sought revenge. Ultimately, with the help of Amar Singh’s brother-in-law, Arjun Singh Gaur, Shah Jahan arranged to have Amar Singh poisoned, thus ending the warrior’s life.
Yet, even after his death, Amar Singh’s legacy lives on in Rajasthan. The tales of his bravery continue to echo in Rajputana’s corridors, recounted through traditional plays, puppet shows, folk ballads, and oral stories. Despite being removed from mainstream historical narratives, Amar Singh remains deeply honored by the people of Rajasthan, who remember him as a great warrior and a guardian of their pride. His courage has even inspired films and folklore, keeping the spirit of this valiant Rajput hero alive.
Amar Singh’s life is a testament to courage and dignity, reminding us that heroes like him are never truly forgotten.