Understanding the Imperial Farman and Makrana Marble

The question asks about a specific historical event where a Raja of Amber was prohibited from using Makrana marble in his watan jagir by an imperial farman. This involves understanding the relationship between the Mughal emperors and the Rajput rulers, as well as the significance of imperial decrees (farmans) and valuable resources like Makrana marble.

Analyzing the Options and the Historical Context

Let's look at the Rajas mentioned in the options:

• Ram Singh I: Son of Mirza Raja Jai Singh, served during Aurangzeb's reign.
• Raja Bishan Singh: Grandson of Mirza Raja Jai Singh, served during Aurangzeb's later reign.
• Mirza Raja Jai Singh: Prominent general and diplomat under Shah Jahan and initially under Aurangzeb. Died in 1667.
• Sawai Jai Singh: Grandson of Raja Bishan Singh, founded Jaipur, served several Mughal emperors from Aurangzeb to Muhammad Shah.

Imperial farmans imposing strict restrictions on the use of certain materials or on construction activities by Hindu rulers became more frequent during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb (1658-1707). Makrana marble from Rajasthan was a highly prized building material, famously used in structures like the Taj Mahal (built during Shah Jahan's reign, completed in 1653). Control over valuable resources and activities could be exerted by the central imperial authority through farmans.

Identifying the Prohibited Raja

Historical accounts and imperial records indicate that Emperor Aurangzeb issued various restrictions, including potentially controlling the use of specific luxury building materials. While the exact date and specifics of a farman prohibiting a Raja of Amber from using Makrana marble in his watan jagir can be debated by historians, sources point to restrictions during Aurangzeb's time related to the use of Makrana marble, possibly linked to discouraging elaborate temple building or asserting imperial control over valuable resources.

Among the listed rulers, Mirza Raja Jai Singh served under Shah Jahan and the early part of Aurangzeb's reign. Ram Singh I and Raja Bishan Singh served during Aurangzeb's reign after Mirza Raja Jai Singh's death. Sawai Jai Singh served primarily in the later part of Aurangzeb's reign and beyond. The prohibition specifically mentioned in the question aligns with restrictions potentially imposed during Aurangzeb's rule, targeting prominent Rajput rulers.

Based on historical information connecting Aurangzeb's restrictions on valuable materials and Hindu rulers, the prohibition from using Makrana marble in his own watan jagir was likely imposed on Mirza Raja Jai Singh. This farman reflected the emperor's authority and control over resources and potentially served political or religious objectives.

Conclusion

The Raja of Amber who was prohibited from using Makrana marble in his own watan jagir by an imperial farman, primarily during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb, was Mirza Raja Jai Singh.

Revision Table: Imperial Farman and Amber Raja

Additional Information: Mughal Farmans and Makrana Marble Significance

Imperial Farman: A farman was a royal decree issued by a Mughal emperor. These were official orders that carried significant legal and administrative weight throughout the empire. They could pertain to various matters, including appointments, grants, laws, and restrictions.

Watan Jagir: This term refers to the hereditary land held by Rajput rulers within their own kingdoms. Unlike regular jagirs which were transferable assignments for revenue collection given for service, the watan jagir was the ruler's ancestral territory recognized and governed under the Mughal administrative system. The ruler exercised significant authority within his watan jagir, but was still subject to imperial authority, including farmans.

Makrana Marble: Sourced from Makrana in present-day Rajasthan, this high-quality white marble was favored for monumental architecture in the Mughal period due to its purity, durability, and aesthetic appeal. Its use was often controlled by the imperial court, especially for prestigious projects.

Aurangzeb's reign saw increased centralization and sometimes stricter policies towards non-Muslims and certain expenditures, which could explain restrictions on the use of valuable resources like Makrana marble by Hindu rulers in their personal territories.