Mirza Raja Man Singh I was the 24th Maharaja of Amber from 1589 to 1614. He also served as the Subahdar of Bengal for three terms from 1595 to 1606 and the Subahdar of Kabul from 1585 to 1586. He served in the Imperial Mughal Army under Emperor Akbar. Man Singh fought sixty-seven important battles in Kabul, Balkh, Bukhara, Bengal and Central and Southern India. He was well versed in the battle tactics of both the Rajputs as well as the Mughals. He is commonly considered to be one of the Navaratnas, or the nine (nava) gems (ratna) of the royal court of Akbar.
Portrait of Man Singh, c. 1590
Portrait of Man Singh
Portrait of Raja Man Singh c.1790
Man Singh I riding a Horse
The Kingdom of Amber, also known as Kingdom of Dhundhar, and Jaipur State, was located in the north-eastern historic Dhundhar region of Rajputana and was ruled by the Kachwaha Rajput clan. It was established by Dulha Rai, possibly the last ruler of the Kachchhapaghata dynasty of Gwalior who migrated to Dausa and started his kingdom there with the support of Chahamanas of Shakambhari in the 12th century. Mostly through 12th to 15th century, the kingdom faced stagnation, sources were scarce. Under its ruler, Raja Chandrasen Amer became a Sisodia vassal and fought in the Battle of Khanwa under Raja Prithviraj Kachhwaha.
Akbar, a long-time ally of the Kachhwahas of Amber
Raja Man Singh (1550–1614) was a trusted general of the Mughal emperor Akbar, who included him among the Navaratnas, or the nine gems of the royal court of Akbar.
Jai Singh fell out of Aurangzeb's favor when captivated Shivaji escaped from Agra.
Jai Singh II (1688–1743) founded the fortified city of Jaipur and made it his capital.