Jai Singh of Mewar

Maharana Jai Singh^[1] (5 December 1653 – 23 September 1698), was the Maharana of Mewar Kingdom, ruling from 1680 to 1698. He was the eldest son of Maharana Raj Singh I. Jai Singh fought a series of battles against Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. He commissioned Dhebar lake also known as Jaisamand in the year 1685.

Jai Singh of Mewar
Maharana of Mewar
Jai Singh
Maharana of Mewar
Reign	22 October 1680 – 23 September 1698
Predecessor	Raj Singh I
Successor	Amar Singh II
Born	(1653-12-05)5 December 1653
Died	23 September 1698(1698-09-23) (aged 44)
Spouse	Rathorji Anup Kanwarji of Idar Chauhanji Roop Kanwarji of Bedla in Mewar Rathorji Bhagwat Kanwarji of Bhinai in Ajmer Hadiji Ganga Kanwarji of Bundi Jhaliji Phool Kanwarji of Bari Sadri in Mewar Devadiji Dev Kanwarji of Sirohi Chauhanji Swarup Kanwarji of Kotharia in Mewar Jhaliji Sujan Kanwarji of Delwara in Mewar Hadiji Bishan Kanwarji from Bundi Rathorji Anand Kanwarji of Chavand in Mewar
Issue	Amar Singh II Bhim Singh Udai Singh Pratap Singh Takht Singh Umaid Singh Kishan Kanwarji m.to Rao Bhim Singh I of Kota Umaid Kanwarji m.to Rao Budh Singh of Bundi Suraj Kanwarji m.to Yuvraj Jagat Singh of Jaisalmer Anup Kanwarji m.to Rana Dalel Singh of Gangdhar
Dynasty	Sisodias of Mewar
Father	Raj Singh I
Mother	Parmarji Ramras Kanwarji d.of Rao Indrabhan Singh of Bijolia in Mewar

Conflicts with the Mughals

Treaty and territorial concessions

Unlike his predecessors, Jai Singh opted for diplomacy to maintain peace with the Mughals. He signed a treaty with Aurangzeb in 1681, conceding three districts and agreeing to a tribute in exchange for a cessation of hostilities. This decision, however, was met with disapproval from a faction within Mewar, who believed it compromised their sovereignty.^[2]

Strategic retreats and defensive measures

Despite the treaty, tensions persisted between Mewar and the Mughals. Jai Singh, anticipating renewed conflict, adopted defensive strategies. He constructed hidden refuges within his territory to safeguard his people and supplies from potential Mughal attacks. These measures proved crucial during later conflicts.

Military engagements

Main article: Rathore rebellion (1679–1707)

Jai Singh was posted in the hills near Girwa by his father Raj Singh I, to encounter the invading Mughal army in 1679. In 1680, Aurangzeb left Mewar and reached Ajmer after the occupation of Udaipur, Chittor and the destruction of several villages and temples. Jai Singh with a strong army made a surprise attack on Chittor and caused heavy casualties in the Mughal army. The resistance, energy and night raids of Rajputs made it difficult for the Mughal outposts to maintain their position.^[3]

Despite the treaty, skirmishes and military confrontations between Mewar and the Mughal forces continued throughout Jai Singh's reign. In 1681, it is claimed that he successfully captured the strategically significant fort of Mandalgarh from the Mughals. However, neither side was able to achieve a decisive victory in the prolonged conflict.