Bhagwant Das
Raja Bhagwant Das of Amber is remembered for a single act of nerve at the battle of Paronkh. When a shot was aimed at the Mughal emperor Akbar, Bhagwant Das put himself in its path and took it on his chest. That moment of loyalty is the reason Akbar trusted him so deeply. It also raises the questions that shape this documentary. How did a Kacchwaha ruler from Amber end up standing at the emperor's side? What did Akbar give him in return? And what happened to the family he left behind?
In 1527, a boy was born to Bharmal and his wife Phulvati of Mandore. He was their eldest son, and he would be named Bhagwant Das. Decades later, in 1562, his sister married Akbar. She became known as Mariam-uz-Zamani and rose to be the emperor's chief consort. The marriage changed the course of her brother's life. At the time of the wedding, Akbar took Bhagwant Das into royal service. From then on he was a respected noble in the Mughal court, and Akbar sent him to lead several military expeditions. A rank and a grand title were still more than twenty years away.
In 1585, Akbar awarded Bhagwant Das a mansab, or rank, of 5000. He also conferred the title of Amir-ul-Umra on him. Bhagwant Das had already fought battles for Akbar in Punjab, Kashmir and Afghanistan. His duties as an administrator were just as heavy as his duties as a soldier. He served as Mughal Subahdar of Lahore, and for a few months in 1586 he was Subahdar of Kabul. At home in Amber he was the 23rd Kacchwaha ruler, holding that seat from 1574. Not every campaign went his way. In Kashmir, the king Yousuf Shah Chak defeated him soundly. Bhagwant Das nevertheless kept his standing in the empire, and his family's influence grew even larger.
Few Mughal nobles placed their relatives so close to the throne as Bhagwant Das did. His son Man Singh I became one of the Navaratnas of Akbar, the nine celebrated figures of his court. Man Singh rose to be the highest-ranking official there. His daughter Man Bai married Prince Salim, who later took the throne as emperor Jahangir. She was his first and chief wife. Their child was Khusrau Mirza, Jahangir's eldest son. Bhagwant Das was also associated with Dadu Dayal, a figure of the Sant Mat tradition. The records list at least thirteen sons for him, including Pratap Singh, Hardas Singh and Sur Singh.
Bhagwant Das attended the cremation of Todar Mal at Lahore in 1589, and soon afterwards he fell ill. He suffered from a bout of vomiting and strangury, and he died on the 4th of December 1589. Akbar responded by issuing a firman of condolence to Bhagwant Das's eldest son and successor, Man Singh I. The message was kind and gracious. Akbar also sent his own robes of honor and a bodyguard's horse. He then gave Man Singh the title of Raja, in honor of his father's passing. Another son, Madho Singh, went on to become the ruler of Bhangarh.
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Common questions
Who was Bhagwant Das of Amber?
Raja Bhagwant Das, who lived from about 1527 to the 4th of December 1589, was the 23rd Kacchwaha ruler of Amber. He also served the Mughal emperor Akbar as a general and as Subahdar of Lahore.
How did Bhagwant Das save Akbar's life?
At the battle of Paronkh, Bhagwant Das took the shot meant for Akbar on his own chest. This act marked him out for his devotion and loyalty to the emperor.
How was Bhagwant Das related to Akbar?
Bhagwant Das was the brother of Mariam-uz-Zamani, who married Akbar in 1562 and became his chief consort. Akbar took Bhagwant Das into royal service when the marriage took place.
What titles and ranks did Bhagwant Das receive from Akbar?
In 1585, Akbar awarded Bhagwant Das a mansab of 5000 and conferred the title of Amir-ul-Umra on him. He also served as Subahdar of Kabul for a few months in 1586.
Who were the famous children of Bhagwant Das?
His son Man Singh I became one of Akbar's Navaratnas and the highest-ranking official of his court. His daughter Man Bai married Prince Salim, later the emperor Jahangir, and was the mother of Khusrau Mirza.
How did Bhagwant Das die?
Bhagwant Das died on the 4th of December 1589 after suffering from vomiting and strangury. This came shortly after he attended the cremation of Todar Mal at Lahore.
All sources
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