The Mughal aristocracy was instrumental in the establishment and consolidation of the Mughal Empire. Their contribution to building a strong Mughal administration cannot be overlooked. Raja Man Singh of Amber, in particular, played a vital role in both expanding the empire and fostering advancements in art and architecture during Akbar’s reign.
There has been a debate among historians regarding the parentage of Raja Man Singh. Some Muslim historians believe he was the son of Raja Bhagwan Das, while others argue that Raja Bhagwant Das was his father. European historians V. A. Smith and H. Blochman claim that Man Singh was adopted by Raja Bhagwan Das. However, evidence from Persian, Sanskrit, Hindi, numismatic, and epigraphic sources has conclusively shown that Man Singh was the eldest son of Raja Bhagwant Das and the grandson of Raja Bharamal of Amber.
Raja Man Singh, born on Sunday, Paus Budi 13 V. S. 1607 i.e. 21st December, 1550 A. D., had a challenging early life. His mother, Rani Bhagwati Pawar, was the chief wife of Raja Bhagwant Das. Astrologers predicted that the newborn Kunwar Man would face trouble due to the influence of evil stars. To protect him, they advised Raja Bhagwant Das to make special arrangements for Kunwar’s stay away from Amber for a period of twelve years.
Raja Bharamal had a palace constructed for Man Singh in Muzzamabad, located forty miles south of Amber. Man Singh resided in the new palace for twelve years, under the care of his mother. He returned to Amber in 1562, coinciding with Raja Bharamal’s daughter’s marriage to Akbar. At the age of twelve, Man Singh joined the Mughal Imperial Service and received military training from Emperor Akbar, becoming proficient in Mughal warfare techniques.
Kunwar Man Singh and his father Bhagwant Das played important roles in the siege and capture of Ranthambore by Akbar in early 1569. Both Man Singh and Raja Bhagwant Das provided valuable assistance to Akbar in the battle of Samal (December, 1572) against Mirza Muhammad Hakim of Kabul, as well as in the conquest of Surat on February 26, 1573. Alongside other Mughal generals like Shah Quit Khan and Mahram Murat Khan, Kunwar Man Singh also conquered and plundered the territories of Dungarpur (located 74 miles from Ahmedabad) in April, 1573.
During the last months of 1574, Akbar set out to suppress the rebellion led by Daud Khan in the Eastern Provinces. In this mission, he brought with him a group of trusted generals, nineteen of whom were named by Abul Fazi. Among these names, Raja Bhagwant Das and Kunwar Man Singh held the highest positions. As a result of their efforts, father and son played a crucial role in quelling the uprising of the tumultuous Afghans and ultimately forcing Daud Khan to flee towards Bengal.
Kunwar Man Singh had previously played a subordinate role in imperial politics, hence he did not receive much attention from contemporary Muslim historians. However, it was during the battle of Haldighati that Kunwar Man Singh was given a significant task that gained him recognition. This battle provided him with the chance to showcase his remarkable skills in organization and military strategy.
Thus, the battle of Haldighati proved to be a pivotal moment for Kunwar Man Singh’s career. This battle was fought between Kunwar Man Singh’s Mughal army and Maharana Pratap’s Rajputs of Mewar. Various writers have put forth different reasons for the battle of Haldighati. According to Abul Fazi, the disobedience, presumption, deceit, and dissimulation of Maharana Pratap prompted the Mughal emperor to aim for his downfall.
According to Colonel Tod in his Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, an incident that is believed by some to be the immediate cause of the war is narrated. This incident is based on Rajput tradition. According to it, Kunwar Man Singh visited Udaipur on his way back from Gujarat in the middle of 1573. Courtesy demanded that he should pay his respects to Maharana Pratap, who was the foremost ruler of the Rajputs in Rajasthan, while passing through his territories. Although he was warmly received, he was curtly treated on the bank of Udaisagar lake. This greatly offended Kunwar Man Singh’s vanity, and he made a vow to seek revenge for this insult.
The Udaisagar incident may have contributed to the battle, but it was not the main cause. Emperor Akbar’s success in winning over many Rajput states through marriage and friendship was ineffective in bringing Rana Pratap into the Mughal Empire. Despite using persuasive tactics and coercion, Akbar knew that his policy of befriending the Rajputs and incorporating them into the empire would fail unless Maharana Pratap was persuaded or forced to submit.
However, Maharana had a unique personality. He was ready to sacrifice his life for the preservation of Rajput independence, but he adamantly refused to accept the dominance of the Mughals. The recent and distressing capture of Chittor still lingered in his mind, and he had no intention of making peace with the imperialists who had seized his cherished homeland. Moreover, being a proud and traditional Rajput leader, the Maharana harbored intense animosity towards the Mughal Emperor for polluting Rajput lineage through matrimonial alliances.
Thus, the Maharana posed as an obstacle to the Emperor’s plan of annexing Rajasthan to his Empire. A confrontation between the two was inevitable due to their contrasting advocacies. This clash between them was rooted in “the logic of history”. Kunwar Man Singh, appointed as the Chief Commander of the Mughal army sent to face Maharana Pratap, possessed personal qualities such as wisdom, courage, resourcefulness, exceptional generalship, and effective organizational skills.
Besides, Akbar, a keen observer of human nature, was aware that the Kachhwaha army, renowned for their courage and bravery, would do their utmost to ensure victory for their Kunwar, even against Maharana Pratap, the highly esteemed ruler of Rajputana. Additionally, Akbar knew that the Mughal army would be facing a completely different Rajput ruler from any they had encountered before, as Maharana was considered the hero and symbol of pride for the Rajput community in Rajasthan.
The Mughal Emperor made the justified decision to appoint a Muslim as leader of the invading army. This was done to ensure the cooperation of the Kachhwahas in defeating their common enemy, acknowledging that people of the same race and faith tend to form strong relationships more easily. Additionally, the Emperor understood that brothers often become bitter enemies on the battlefield. Thus, Kunwar Man Singh, a Muslim, was appointed as chief commander of the Mughal army to uphold and promote Islamic ideals. Akbar also had the intention of mocking the esteemed Sisodia Chief, who was known for his Rajput chivalry. The Battle of Haldighati took place on June 18, 1576. Kunwar Man Singh led the Imperial army from Ajmer towards Gogunda, making a stop at Mandalgarh for two months to allow other Mughal generals to join him. Finally, in early June 1576, Kunwar Man Singh continued his march from Mandalgarh to Gogunda.
Gogunda, located about 16 miles northwest of Udaipur, was in close proximity to Haldighati. The reason behind the name “Haldighati” was the yellow color of its soil. This area was situated at the base of a neck-shaped mountain which blocked the valley and made it nearly impossible to access. By April 1576, Maharana Pratap and his army had moved to Khamnaur, a village at the entrance of the Haldighati pass. Kunwar Man Singh commanded a force of 5000 troops, while Maharana Pratap had only 3000 soldiers. On June 18, 1576, the two armies clashed in the village of Khamnaur, which marked the beginning of the Haldighati battle.
The Battle of Haldighati resulted in the deaths of numerous soldiers from both sides, yet the Imperialists emerged victorious. The Maharana, feeling disgusted, opted to withdraw from the battlefield. Following Kunwar Man Singh’s orders, the Imperialists did not chase after their enemies as their primary objective had been accomplished. Kunwar aimed to humiliate the Rana by inflicting a devastating defeat but had no intention of tormenting him further. This decision was influenced by the Rana’s esteemed position among not only himself but also among the Kachhwaha Rajputs.
After the war, the Kunwar made a decision to prevent the Mughal army from pursuing the Maharana’s soldiers in order to avoid any embarrassment for them. This choice caused him to initially incur the Emperor’s displeasure, but Man Singh handled it patiently and never regretted his actions. Thankfully, the Emperor’s displeasure did not last long and the Kunwar was eventually accepted back into favor. Following this, the Emperor commanded Kunwar Man Singh to suppress the rebellion in Khhichiwara, which is located south of Kota.
The Kunwar advanced from Amber in that direction with a powerful force. Along the way, he quelled and subdued the defiant chiefs who dared to resist him. After restoring order in the area, he established military installations there to protect the Mughal Empire’s interests. Man Singh then continued to Malwa and successfully seized control of the principality of Oond during his journey. He implemented an effective government in Malwa and eliminated all dissatisfaction in that area. Emperor Akbar was greatly satisfied with Man Singh’s accomplishment.
The man named Kunwar was given a title of 3500 by Man Singh, who was pleased to grant it to him. As a result, both Man Singh and his father’s activities shifted from Mewar to the Punjab, Peshawar, and Kabul regions in the extreme north and northwest of India. This transfer marked an important step in Man Singh’s path to success. The Mughal rule in those areas was unstable, necessitating the presence of a capable and skilled individual like Man Singh.
The Emperor considered these factors when deciding to transfer Kunwar Man Singh to the Punjab. Kunwar Man Singh arrived in the Punjab with his father Raja Bhagwant Singh in April, 1578. From 1578 to 1580, Kunwar Man Singh focused on bringing Kashmir under Mughal rule and punishing Sulaiman Mirza, who was an ally of Muhammad Hakim, the ruler of Kabul and a major adversary of Akbar. During this time, Kunwar Man Singh was stationed in Sialkot, the capital of the Punjab. In January 1580, he was given responsibility for administering the North-Western Frontier Provinces.
He was also given control of administering the nearby regions of the river Indus. Kunwar Man Singh fulfilled his responsibilities satisfactorily. In December, 1580, he achieved a significant victory over Shadman, an Afghan leader and close ally of Mirza Muhammad Hakim, the ruler of Kabul. Shadman was killed in the confrontation. The defeat and death of Shadman led to Mirza Muhammad Hakim attacking the Punjab. When Emperor Akbar learned of this news, he instructed Man Singh not to openly oppose Mirza Muhammad Hakim and to delay direct confrontation with him, as the Emperor himself wanted to gauge his own strength against his half-brother.
Consequently, instead of directly engaging with the forces in Kabul, Kunwar Man Singh chose to avoid them. However, by the middle of 1581, Mirza Muhammad Hakim was defeated and fled north towards Kabul. This left Akbar in a position of power over Kabul. Kunwar Man Singh continued to oversee the Indus region until July 1585. At this time, Mirza Muhammad Hakim, the ruler of Kabul, passed away on July 30th. To carry out the Emperor’s orders, Kunwar Man Singh was instructed to go to Kabul immediately and bring the people under the allegiance of the Mughal Emperor. Following these instructions, Kunwar Man Singh crossed the Indus and arrived in Peshawar.
Kunwar Man Singh was successful in bringing the Afghans of the region under submission and gaining control of Kabul. Emperor Akbar, pleased with Man Singh’s accomplishments, rewarded him by appointing him as the governor of Kabul. Man Singh was also given the responsibility of suppressing and punishing the Raushanias, an Afghan tribe known for their highway robberies on the dangerous Khyber Pass.
This text describes the challenging assignment given to Man Singh and how he successfully carried it out. However, before he could fully settle in Bihar, a tragic event occurred – his father, Raja Bhagwant Das, passed away in Lahore on November 13th, 1589. As a result, Man Singh ascended to the throne and became the ruler of Amber on February 14th, 1590. The coronation ceremony took place in Amber and was marked by grandeur and magnificence. According to Abdul-Fazi’s account, Kunwar Man Singh received the title of Raja and a mansab of 5000 from Akbar.
After the coronation, Raja Man Singh arrived in Bihar to establish a strong and stable administration in the Subah. His first action was to lead an expedition against Raja Puranmal of Gidhaur, who, facing the Kachhwaha chief, chose to surrender without a fight. As a gesture of submission, Raja Puranmal presented various valuable items and offered his daughter in marriage to Chandrabhan, Man Singh’s brother. Raja Man Singh then turned his attention towards Anant Chero of the Gaya District, successfully bringing him under control. Furthermore, he subdued the Sayyids of Sambhurpuri in Gaya district, Bihar.
The Raja established a new city named ‘Man Pur’ on the opposite side of Phalguni in Gaya town, which he called “the abode of Raja Man”. Additionally, Raja Man Singh defeated Raja Gajapat of Hajipur and forced him to give up his position as chief. While Raja Man Singh was away suppressing rebellious zamindars in South Bihar, his eldest son, Kumwar Jagat Singh, successfully defended northern Bihar against two formidable Bengal rebels – Sultan Quli Qalmaq and Kachewa. The rebels were defeated and fled, leaving behind a significant amount of plunder.
Raja Man Singh embarked on his journey to Bengal on May 4, 1594 to assume his role as the governor of the province. However, the political situation in Bengal at that time was extremely dire. Conspiracies and attacks by the Afghans, who had established a strong presence in every part of Bengal, posed a serious threat to Mughal control. The discontent among the Afghans stemmed from the fact that their territories had been seized by the Imperialists due to Mughal expansion.
The rebellious zamindars of Bengal caused additional trouble for the governor appointed by the Mughal empire. Those who refused to submit to Mughal rule in other provinces also migrated to Bengal, increasing the number of dissatisfied and defiant individuals. Raja Man Singh, however, was not at all worried about the difficult situation in Bengal. Instead, he fearlessly took steps to restore order in the province. He firmly believed that the Afghans were his biggest adversaries and that suppressing them was crucial for establishing a stable government in Bengal.
The capital of Bengal at that time was Tandah, but it was not suitable for military operations against Afghan rebels. Additionally, the city had become unhealthy as the river Ganges had shifted away from it. Furthermore, Tandah had lost its previous charm due to an epidemic in 1575 that greatly reduced its population. Instead, Raja Man Singh decided to use Rajmahal as a base for military operations against the Afghans. Rajmahal was located on the bank of the river Ganges and was more suitable for this purpose.
The seat of government was relocated from Tandah to Rajmahal in November, 1595, and its name was changed to Akbarnagar. Akbar constructed a palace for himself and also built a sturdy rampart with bastions that surrounded the city. He established a mint, where silver, copper, and gold coins were issued. In December, 1595, he led an expedition against Isa Khan, the prominent landlord of Dacca. The Mughal army’s superior strength intimidated the Afghans. Additionally, he erected a fort in that area called Salimnagar. In 1596, Raja Man Singh brought the state of Cooch Bihar under Mughal influence.
The throne of Cooch Bihar was fiercely disputed by a rival claimant named Pat Kunwar, who joined forces with Isa in an attempt to overthrow Lakshmi Narayan, the rightful ruler of the state. To counter the powerful combination of Pat Kunwar and the Afghans, Raja Lakshmi Narayan decided to acknowledge the formal supremacy of Emperor Akbar and seek his armed support. The Mughal Emperor graciously accepted Raja Lakshmi Narayan’s formal submission, as agreed upon by the Bengal Governor. The alliance between Cooch Bihar and the Mughals was further solidified through a marriage between Raja Man and Barbhavati, sister of Raja Lakshmi Narayan.
In May 1597, Pat Kunwar suffered a significant defeat in which many men and resources were lost. The expansion of Mughal influence over Cooch Bihar provided a convenient opportunity to strengthen imperial authority in eastern Bengal. At the same time, Isa Khan, a powerful Afghan leader in eastern Bengal, joined forces with Pat Kunwar and dealt a devastating blow to the imperialists in September 1597, near Katrabu (Dacca), resulting in the death of Durjan Singh, one of Man Singh’s sons. However, Isa Khan eventually surrendered to Raja Man Singh, ensuring that Cooch Raja was saved from the threat of an attack by the Cooch-Afghan allies.
Isa Khan, an Afghan leader, passed away in September 1599, greatly weakening the Afghan cause in Bengal. This demise brought a sense of relief to Man Singh, as he saw it as the end of the Afghan threat. However, Man Singh soon faced another tragedy in October of the same year when his eldest son, Jagat Singh, died due to excessive drinking. This was a devastating loss for the Kachhawaha Raja. Jagat, being the oldest and most dutiful of all of Raja Man Singh’s sons, made his death even more heartbreaking. In memory of her late son, Rani Kanakawati constructed a magnificent marble temple in the western corner of Amber. This temple is one of the grandest structures in Amber.
Afghan rebellion (1600 AD) occurred when Raja Man Singh, feeling thoroughly disgusted with his life in Bengal, decided to seek rest and relaxation in Ajmer. He entrusted the administration of Bengal to his grandson, Maha Singh (son of Jagat Singh). However, soon after Raja Man Singh’s departure, the Afghans, under the leadership of Usman Khan, initiated a rebellion in April 1600 A.D. Despite Maha Singh’s attempts to suppress the uprising, he was unsuccessful. As a result, Raja Man Singh was compelled to return to Bengal and restore the lost prestige of the Imperialists. Consequently, in February 1601, he inflicted a crushing defeat upon the Afghans in Sherpur Atai (Murshidabad district).
In 1601, there were several rebellions throughout Bengal. Kedar Rai, the zamidar of Shripur in South Dacca, and JaIal Khan, an Afghan rebel, both rose up against the Kachhwaha Raja. However, both rebellions were forcefully suppressed by Raja Man Singh. Another powerful ruler, Pratapaditya of Jessore, was also defeated by Raja Man Singh. Additionally, Usman Khan, Daud Khan, and other Afghan rebels attempted to rebel but were defeated as well. Even the zamindar of Magh (Arakanese of Burmese) country raised a rebellion but it was ultimately crushed.
In 1604, Man Singh successfully defeated the Afghan rebellion in Bengal, putting an end to their aspirations of establishing Afghan dominance in the region. As a result, Raja Man Singh received recognition for his achievements and was summoned to the Imperial Court in Agra in August 1605. The Emperor expressed great satisfaction with Raja Man Singh’s impressive accomplishments in Bengal and bestowed numerous rewards upon him. This included a prestigious mansab of 7000 zat and 6000 Sawar, which had previously only been granted to members of the royal family.
In August, 1605, Raja Man Singh reached the Imperial Court in Agra, marking the pinnacle of his successful career. He achieved great power and status, becoming one of the most influential grandees of the Mughal Empire. As an exceptional commander, he held a prestigious position known as Sapthazari mansab. By this point, Raja Man Singh had firmly established himself as a dominant figure within the empire. With his influence secured, it was only natural for him to aspire to leave a lasting legacy even after Akbar’s death.
This was only possible when Raja Man Singh successfully placed his nephew Khusrau on the imperial throne, excluding Jahangir. Raja Man Singh was aware of Akbar’s intense disgust and animosity towards his eldest son, Salim. To keep Salim away from Agra and provide a favorable environment for conspiring to declare Kusrau as Emperor Akbar’s successor, Raja Man Singh persuaded the Emperor to appoint Salim as the Governor of Bengal. However, his entire plan failed when Salim refused to leave Allahabad for Bengal. Raja Man Singh was not the only one involved in plotting against Salim.
Khan – I – Azam, the father – in – law of Khusrau and a powerful grandee of the Mughal Court, actively aided him in his efforts to secure the Mughal throne. On September 22, 1605, Akbar became ill with diarrhea, which ultimately caused his demise. Raja Man Singh and Khan – I – Azam then conspired to take advantage of the situation and gain control over the Emperor. Their plan involved relocating him from the Imperial palace in Agra to the other side of the river Jamuna.
When their initial attempt failed, they tried to have Khusrau adopted and declared as Emperor with the ailing monarch’s agreement, but they were unsuccessful in convincing the Emperor. As a result, this plan also failed. Despite this failure, the Kachhwaha Raja did not give up and, in collaboration with Khan – I – Azam, decided to capture and arrest Salim. Their main objective was to remove the biggest obstacle to Khusrau’s ascension to the throne. However, Salim managed to evade Raja Man Singh’s trap and thus thwarted his plan to capture him.
Despite the Raja’s dream of securing the Imperial throne for his nephew Khusrau being partly shattered, Raja Man Singh remained optimistic and determined. He believed that there was still a chance to achieve his goal. To this end, Raja Man Singh organized a gathering of influential nobles at the Agra fort. He urged these powerful individuals to acknowledge Khusrau as the future ruler of the country.
He also pointed out to them that Emperor Akbar desired that Sultan Khusrau should succeed him. However, the nobles did not approve of this idea. They argued that placing Prince Khusrau on the Mughal throne while his father was still alive was not only absurd but also went against the traditions of the Chagtais. After expressing their objections, the nobles, led by Sayyid Khan Barha, left the hall, thus resulting in the failure of the Kachhwaha Raja’s plans. However, despite this setback, the Raja did not lose hope completely.
The Raja attempted to seize the Mughal treasure hidden in the fort as a desperate move. If he managed to capture the large amount of gold and jewelry held in the treasury vaults, he planned to bribe and recruit Mughal nobles to help Khusrau become the ruler of the Mughals. However, the Barha Sayyids, who supported Prince Salim, had already taken measures to gain control of the Imperial treasury and outsmarted the Raja. Consequently, the Raja’s diplomatic efforts were also unsuccessful in this case.
The Kachhwaha chief had no other choice but to resort to the use of the sword to make a decision. Raja Man Singh had a loyal army under his command, which he could have used to place Khusrau on the Imperial throne. However, Raja Man Singh’s plans had all failed, leaving him disheartened and unwilling to find a solution through violent means. Therefore, feeling completely disgusted, Raja Man Singh decided to travel to Bengal with Prince Khusrau. As a result, Salim was declared the Emperor of the Mughal Empire, and this decision was also approved by the dying monarch Akbar.
Death of Akbar
Akbar passed away on October 15, 1605. In his death, Raja Man Singh lost one of his biggest supporters and admirers. Akbar held deep affection for the Raja and even gave him the honorary title of ‘Farzand’ (son). The Emperor entrusted the Raja with important and challenging tasks, which the Raja carried out without hesitation. In return, Raja Man Singh served his master well, leading to his elevation to the highest rank in the state. Consequently, Raja Man enjoyed a prestigious position in the court of Akbar.
The death of Akbar marked the end of one era for Raja Man Singh and the beginning of another era. Previously, he had been the most esteemed noble at the Mughal Court, enjoying the complete trust of the Emperor. However, after Akbar’s death, he started to be gradually sidelined. The new Emperor, Jahangir, did not have faith in him and closely monitored his actions with suspicion. As a result, the new regime did not bode well for Raja Man Singh.
After becoming the emperor, Jahangir granted a general amnesty, freeing thousands of prisoners. Raja Man Singh was also included in this forgiving treatment. He was allowed to continue his governorship of the Subah of Bengal and instructed to resume his duties as soon as possible. It may seem surprising that Jahangir did not punish Raja Man Singh for his attempts to overthrow him, but the explanation is clear: Raja Man was the most noteworthy figure in the Mughal Court.
Leading the strong Kachhwaha cavalry, known for their bravery and honor, Raja Man Singh was a powerful noble whom it would be unwise to dismiss and disgrace. Moreover, Jahangir had not fully established himself on the Mughal throne. Additionally, Raja Man Singh had rendered great service to the Mughal Empire and was highly regarded by the soldiers of the Mughal army. If any harm were to come to him from Jahangir, he would openly support Khusrau’s cause and push the nation into a civil war.
There was another reason for having a liberal attitude towards Raja Man Singh; however, he was not permitted to stay in Bengal for an extended period. In June 1606, he was summoned back from Bengal and directed to go to Rohtas, where he stayed until the end of the year. In 1607, Raja Man received an order to leave Rohtas Fort and travel to the South. Before heading south, he visited his homeland, Amber, that same year. During his time at Amber, he took the opportunity to organize his affairs. He assigned new jagirs to his followers who had lost their own at Rohtas.
During his final return to the north, before his eventual passing in the south a few years later, the Kachhwaha Raja played a significant role in strengthening the administration and consolidating the State’s affairs. Prior to heading to the Deccan in July 1609, Raja Man Singh resided in Amber for nearly three years. However, unlike his previous achievements as a distinguished commander during Akbar’s reign, he did not achieve any impressive victories in the southern campaigns and suffered the same fate as other Mughal generals. The reasons behind his lack of success are easily identifiable.
He did not have independent command in the south, so he had no chance to demonstrate his initiative and drive in this campaign. Additionally, the Mughal generals in the south did not have unity of command, leading to frequent quarrels among them. Therefore, Raja Man Singh played a subordinate role in the Mughal expedition to the South, although he remained in the Deccan for over five years until his death. He passed away naturally on 6th July, 1614 at Elichpur in the south after a brief illness. Following his death, Raja Bhao Singh became the ruler of Amber.
Religious Temperament Raja Man Singh was a part of an era that saw new religious experiments. Akbar had introduced Din – I – Ilahi, also known as “Divine Faith,” with the aim of establishing a universal religion throughout his empire. Naturally, Akbar desired that trusted officers like Man Singh would adopt his religion. However, the Raja had a strong belief system and remained unwavering in religious matters, despite being a loyal political servant to his master.
Despite the Emperor’s efforts, he was unable to convert Raja Man Singh to Din – I – Ilahi. Raja Man Singh was a devout and tolerant individual who showed great devotion to Hindu deities. This is evident from the many temples he constructed across various regions of India such as Rajasthan, Bihar, Bengal, and others. Although he adhered to traditional Hinduism, he also embraced the teachings of Vaishnavism from the Bengal school later in his life. The tomb dedicated to him in the Amber royal cemetery serves as a testament to his open-mindedness and inclusive religious beliefs.
The cenotaph contains paintings of all gods and goddesses from Hindu mythology, as well as Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira. Raja Man Singh, a prominent noble in Akbar’s court, played a crucial role in strengthening the Mughal empire. He was a key figure in the Mughal state and his contributions were greatly acknowledged by Akbar, who bestowed upon him the titles of Tarzand and Mirza Raja.
The Emperor desired to bestow more than just titles upon Raja Man Singh, recognizing the utmost importance of his services. Emperor Akbar, unlike any Muslim king before him, elevated Raja Man Singh to a high rank of 7000 mansab, a privilege typically reserved for royal princes. In return, the Raja demonstrated his worth, faithfully and wholeheartedly serving the Emperor with loyalty and integrity. Raja Man Singh proved himself to be a courageous warrior and accomplished military leader, particularly excelling on the battlefield.
