Bharmal was the fourth son of Raja Prithviraj or Prithvi Singh I of Amer (r. 17 January 1503 – 4 November 1527), and Rani Apoorva Devi or Bala Bai of the Rathore clan, the daughter of Rao Lunkaran of the royal family of Bikaner.

[2]: 31–34 After the death of Prithviraj in 1527, Raja Puranmal (r. 5 November 1527 – 19 January 1534), his eldest son by queen Tanwar succeeded him.

He died at the Battle of Mandrail on 19 January 1534, while helping the Mughal Emperor Humayun recapture the fort of Bayana.

Puranmal was succeeded by his younger brother Bhim Singh (r. 1534 – 22 July 1537), the next eldest son of Rani Apoorva Devi.

This act of Amer nobles impressed the Emperor who then enquired about the Raja Bharmal and pleased with his valor said, "We will rear you".

[5]: 70 In 1562, the situation became critical for the Kachhwahas when Mirza Muhammad Sharaf-ud-din Hussain was appointed Mughal governor of Mewat.

Chaghtai Khan introduced Bharmal and his relatives, who proposed to give his eldest daughter, Hira Kunwari, in marriage to Akbar.

[2]: 31–37 After this marriage, he was immediately made the commander of 5000 cavalry units, the highest rank possible for a noble in the Mughal court.

He was in the words of Nizamuddin Ahmad, one of the renowned Rajas of Hindustan who came into service of the Emperor with great favors and royal benefactions.

[6] He was distinguished among the Rajput clan for his valor and sincere devotion and loyalty and is regarded as one of Akbar's most loyal, courageous, and competent commanders and rose to great favor of the Emperor.