Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v3.c41.s1.65

v3.c41.s1.65

Mahā Singh, c. A.D. 1621-25.—Maha succeeded, and in like manner died from dissipated habits. These unworthy successors of Raja Man allowed the princes of Jodhpur to take the lead at the imperial court. At the instigation of the celebrated Jodha Bai (daughter of Rae Singh of Bikaner), the Rajputni wife of Jahangir, Jai Singh, grandson of Jagat Singh (brother of Man), was raised to the throne of Amber, to the no small jealousy, says [355] the chronicle, of the favourite queen, Nur Jahan. It relates that the succession was settled by the emperor and the Rajputni in a conference at the balcony of the seraglio, where the emperor saluted the youth below as Raja of Amber, and commanded him to make his salaam to Jodha Bai, as the source of this honour. But the customs of Rajwara could not be broken : it was contrary to etiquette for a Rajput chief to salaam, and he replied : " I will do this to any lady of your majesty's family, but not to Jodha Bai " ; upon which she good-naturedly laughed, and called out, " It matters not ; I give you the raj of Amber."