JAI SINGH, MIRZA RAJA

JAI SINGH, MIRZA RAJA (1605-1667), Kachhvaha Rajput prince and one of the senior generals under the Mughal emperors ShahJahari (1628-58) and Aurangzib (1658-1707), succeeded to the feudal chieftainship of Amber (Jaipur) in 1617 when he also got his first appointment in the Mughal army. “Since then,” writes Sir Jadunath Sarkar, History of Aurangzib, vol. IV, “he had fought under the imperial banner in every part of the empire from Baikh in Central Asia to Bijapur in the Deccan, from Qandahar in the west to Mungir in the east.” When he was fighting for the throne in 1858, Aurangzib had solicited and secured Jai Singh`s assistance as a reward for which he was made governor of Delhi city with the grant of Sambhar, a rich province flourishing on its salt trade.

Mirza Raja Jai Singh, although a Mughal vassal, was a staunch Hindu and an admirer of the Sikh Gurus. During his stay at Delhi, he was used by Aurangzib as an intermediary to summon to the court first Guru Har Rai in 1661 and later Guru Har Krishan in 1664. Guru Har Rai did not go to Delhi himself, and sent his son Ram Rai instead. Guru Har Krishan, who in compliance with the Emperor`s wishes, visited Delhi in March 1664, put up in Raja Jai Singh`s bungalow which is now the site of Gurdwara Barigia Sahib in New Delhi. He passed away there on 30 March 1664.

Later in 1664, Mirza Raja Jai Singh at the head of 14,000 troops was assigned to the Deccan campaign against Shivaji. Jai Singh not only reconquered a number efforts but also persuaded Shivaji in 1666 to attend the Emperor`s court. He was kept in virtual confinement in the house of the Kachhvaha Raja under the care of Jai Singh`s son, Karivar Ram Singh. But Shivaji and his son, Sh`ambhuji, made good their escape on 19 August 1666. Aurarigzib`s suspicion and ire fell upon Ram Singh as well as upon Jai Singh. The latter was recalled to the court, but he died on the way at Burhanpur on 2 July 1667.

References :

1. Santokh Singh, Bhai, Sri Gur Pratap Sura] Granth. Amritsar, 1927-33
2. Macauliffe, Max Arthur, The Sikh Religion. Oxford, 1909
3. Trilochan Singh, Guru Tegh Bahadur: Prophet and Martyr. Delhi, 1967
4. Harbans Singh, Guru Tegh Bahadur. Delhi, 1992