The Mughal-Rajput relations, which matured under Akbar, incorporated a distinct cultural group – the Rajputs, within the

larger matrix of Mughal state power. There

was a need to establish good relations with the Rajputs to ensure the stability of the Empire. However, these relations underwent significant changes due to existing
socio-political factors as well as the individual policies of the various rulers. The relations can be seen in terms of expansion of Mughal territorial control and state
power and the mutual need for some kind of political accommodation on the part of both the Rajputs and the Mughals.

Importance of the Rajputs The term Rajput comes from rajaputra which means ‘son of a king’ and is identified with numerous kshatriya or warrior castes in northern
and western India. They are famed for their fighting abilities and once ruled numerous Indian princely states. They ranged from very powerful clans like the Rathores
of Marwar and the Sisodias of Mewar to minor clans and the reasons for each one of the states to ally with the Mughals differed.

● The Kachhwahas of Amber were the first Rajput minor clan with whom the Mughals forged relations by marrying Raja Bharamal’s daughter.
Importance of the Rajputana Region
● a crucial link between the Gangetic Valley and the flourishing sea ports on the west coast of India and with the prosperous tract of Malwa on the other, which
was important for trade and access to Gujarat and the Deccan region.
● If not controlled from the center it could have made the Mughal state vulnerable to attacks both from the North-West Frontier and from Malwa.
● The Aravallis were a natural barrier and a good base for the construction of a number of formidable forts. The Rajputana region was also very close to Delhi
and the Mughal state would not want a hostile power so close to the seat of power.
RELATIONS BEFORE AKBAR – Satish Chandra believes that the Mughal desire to conciliate the ruling classes and the reputation of the Rajputs of loyalty and
service formed the basis of their alliance with the Rajputs.

Babur – During his time, the relations between the Mughals and Rajputs did not develop along definite and positive lines; rather it was in consonance with the political
needs

Humayun – Humayun, who attempted to establish relations with the Rajputs in order to conciliate and win over the zamindars or indigenous ruling sections in the
country, encountered problems and resistance from both the Rajputs and Afghans.

AKBAR –
● It was important for Akbar to enlist the support of such strong allies and control the Rajputs in order to ensure his own stability and increase his own
strength. According to Vincent Smith, Akbar’s relations with the Rajputs were an outcome of Akbar’s imperial desires and political expediency.
● Beli Prasad and A.L Srivastav say that Akbar’s relations with the Rajputs were an outcome of a policy of neo-imperialism. According to them,
Akbar’s period was one of liberalism and fostered the growth of composite culture. Akbar’s Rajput policy was an intrinsic part of his religious policy and that
his Rajput wives and allies were the main reason for his liberal ideas. However it is hard to draw such a correlation and it can’t be said that one policy was an
outcome of another as both these policies weren’t well defined. They evolved over a period of time and did impact each other or were complementary.
● [Link] argues that both Akbar’s ideological outlook and Rajput policy were an outcome of his attempt to create a composite homogeneous
nobility out of a multiracial heterogeneous one. Khan put forward a political angle in trying to explain Rajput relations. When Akbar ascended the throne he
faced many challenges from the nobility and thus tried to develop a Rajput support base to counterbalance the existing Turani nobility. Internal rebellions
made Akbar realize the need to create an effective bulwark and a class of efficient bureaucracy to balance out such rebellious elements. Akbar also wanted to
convert the hostility and resistance of the Rajput and other states into active support and participation and evolve their identity to that of the Mughal state,
where they would become partners in governance and transform the passive support of the Rajputs into active support.
● Satish Chandra has classified the history of Mughal-Rajput relations under the Akbar into three broad phases.

FIRST PHASE – 1556 – 1567 – Rajputs as Loyal Allies

● The first phase was one where most Rajput rajas accepted Mughal Suzerainty and were considered loyal allies in their existing role as the rulers
of their principalities. They were expected to perform military service in or around their principalities but not outside Rajasthan.
● This was a difficult phase for Akbar who was facing rebellions from – 1) his foster family, 2) Turani nobles 3) Uzbeks. He concluded that he
needed the strength of the Rajputs to break the power of the Turanis. Rajputs were employed in the conquest of Mertha in 1562 and Jodhpur in 1563 but not
against the larger Rajput states like Chittor and Ranthambore.
● Matrimonial alliances took on a new significance as they became important in developing an alliance with the Rajputs on a permanent basis.
● The matrimonial alliances were not initiated by Akbar but had Turkish origins. Akbar entered into such alliances only with those families, who were
willing to do so and they weren’t looked upon as a mark of submission and loyalty. Moreover, it was the Rajput states who wished to draw benefits
from such alliances. They not only received jagirs, mansabs and positions in the Mughal court but were able to develop close relations with the Mughal
state. Afzal Husain says that there were about 38 marriages during Akbar’s reign, of which about 32 were for political purposes.
● In 1562, Akbar entered into relations with the Kachhwaha ruler Bharamal of Amber, who offered his daughter Harka Bai to Akbar. Over a period of time
this alliance was beneficial for the Kachhwahas as when Akbar went on his campaign to Gujarat, Bharamal was left in charge of his court.
● Liberal Measures –abolition of the Pilgrimage tax and Jaziya between 1562-64. However, despite these measures, it didn’t lead to an alliance with
other Rajput states or create an atmosphere of total peace between the Mughals and the Rajputs. This formed the background for the 2nd phase of Akbar’s
policy towards the Rajputs.

SECOND PHASE: 1568 – 1580 – Forceful Persuasion

● Akbar adopted a hard line approach, accompanied by the use of force through which he compelled the Rajputs to accept alliances.
● Akbar also used diplomatic means as he knew that the peaceful submission of the Rajput states was important.
● Among the more violent and conflictual narratives of Mughal-Rajput relations include – 1) Akbar’s campaign against Rana Uday Singh of Mewar
2) the siege of Chittor in 1567 and Ranthambore in 1569 3) prolonged campaign against Rana Pratap.
Chittor Campaign (October 1567 to February 1568) – The Chittor campaign was the most vigorous campaign launched by Akbar against Mewar.

● With the exception of Mewar, the largest state ruled by the Sisodias under Rana Uday Singh, most other states had accepted Mughal suzerainty.
● Why Mewar was attacked –1) Akbar felt that if Mewar fell to the Mughals, so would the smaller states, which did happen. 2) According to Abul
Fazl, Akbar was compelled to take up arms against the arrogant Rana Uday Singh. 3) Badauni and Nizammudin Ahmad felt that Rana Uday Singh had hidden
Baz Bahadur, an Afghan chief.
● The Chittor campaign ended with 30000 Rajputs losing their lives and was described by some people as a Jihad.
● Along with Mewar, military pressure was also used on Jaisalmer and Bikaner.
Alliances with Akbar – After the fall of Chittor, many Rajput states entered into alliances with the Mughals including Ranthambore in 1569 and Jodhpur,
Bikaner and Jaisalmer in 1570. The Rajputs were inducted in large numbers into the Mughal courts and the Rajput chiefs began to emerge as the military
bulwark of Mughal rule. By 1570, with the exception of the Sisodias of Mewar (Rana Pratap- Battle of Haldighati-1575) who still resisted, most Rajput states
had entered into an alliance with Akbar.

THIRD PHASE: 1580 onwards –

In the third phase from 1580 to the end of Akbar’s reign, the Rajputs enjoyed an enhanced prestige as nobles and Akbar was sympathetic to them as they were
an integral part of his court.

Turani Revolt – In 1580, Akbar faced a Turani revolt in Bengal and Bihar, supported by Akbar’s half brother Mirza Hakim. The rebellion led Akbar to
promote Rajputs in large numbers and they were deployed in the battle. They emerged as the support arm of the Mughal state and began to be accorded
important administrative assignments.

Equation with Smaller Rajput States – G.S.L. Devra argues that Akbar’s relations with the more powerful states of Mewar and Jodhpur always remained
strained but on the contrary his relations with the not so powerful chieftains were always cordial. The Kachhwahas remained the most significant support
group within Rajput clans.

Integration of the Rajputs through the Jagirdari System – S. Inayat Ali Zaidi explains the Mughal Rajput relations in terms of the integration of the
Rajputs into the Mughal state through the Jagridari system which was mutually beneficial for both.

Examples of Mughal Control over the Rajputs – The Mughals claimed a kind of paramountcy which implied that the Rajput chiefs did not raid each
other’s territories or try to resolve territorial disputes by resorting to war. There were instances of Akbar attempting to establish complete control over some
Rajput principalities. For example, taking advantage of the war of succession in Jodhpur, he kept it under direct imperial control for nearly twenty years but
handed back territory after facing resistance. Akbar intervened in cases of disputed successions and this right was maintained by all subsequent Mughal
rulers. There was no tradition of primogeniture among the Rajputs and the death of every ruler was followed by a period of political turmoil.

Mutual Benefits – The Mughal-Rajput relations were mutually beneficial and was a two way process. The alliance secured to the Mughals, the services of
brave warriors and their loyalty. The Rajputs helped in the consolidation and expansion of the empire. Moreover, by wielding control over these principalities
Akbar was able to ensure peace in the countryside. Through the granting of jagirs, he integrated the various principalities into the empire.

● The Rajputs were able to secure service in the Mughal administration and were appointed to the highest ranks of the nobility by assigning them high
administrative offices in different parts of the Empire. This, along with matrimonial alliances, helped the Rajputs to enhance their social status and prestige.
Mughal state service was also financially rewarding. In addition to their watan jagirs, they were accorded jagirs outside Rajasthan in accordance with their
mansabs.
CONCLUSION – It can be seen that the development of cordial and friendly relations with the Rajputs was part of a conscious and deliberate policy of
Akbar. Although his policy was not uniform and differed from case to case, on the whole, with the exception of Mewar, Akbar was able to establish peaceful
working relations with all the Rajput states. The benefits derived from such a policy lead Norman Ziegler to claim that the Rajput alliance with the Mughals
represents one of the more prominent Mughal successes.