INTRODUCTION

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 in order
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.

THE RAJPUTS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RAJPUTANA REGION-

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.

Minor clans were vassals of major clans and when minor clans entered into
relations with the Mughals, this changed and impacted the major Rajput clans
as well.

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 The Rajputana region, which was

strategically located, was very important in Mughal history as-

It formed 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 -

The relationship between the local rulers and the central authority had many
ups and downs starting from the Sultanate period during which the region
could not be unified. 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

Since the time of Babur the influence of the Rajputs had been growing and the
growth of such powerful neighbors would have caused serious instabilities to
the Empire.

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
REASONS FOR AKBAR ADOPTING HIS RAJPUT POLICY There and many
reasons for Akbar's Rajput policy and for the evolution of this relationship.

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 look at Abul Fazl's accounts and 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. Srivastav believes Akbar was the only ruler who
thought of an all India unity and bringing together his empire. They thus came
to a conclusion that 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.

LA.Khan 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
counter balance 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.

THREE PHASES OF MUGHAL RAJPUT RELATIONS UNDER AKBAR

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-
Matrimonial alliances took on a new significance as they became important in
developing an alliance with the Rajputs on a permanent basis.

In 1562, Albar entered into relations with the Kachhwaha ruler Bharamal of
Amber, who offered his daughter Bai Harkha to Akhar. At the time, the
Kachhwahas were a minor Rajput clan who felt that they would be able to rise
to the position of leading nobles in the Mughal court. Therefore 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-

In the 1560s, Akhar tried to attrit the Rajputs by putting forward liberal
measures like the 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 2 phase of Akbar's policy towards
the Rajputs

SECOND PHASE: 1568-1580-

This was the period after the conquest of Chittor during which the relations
with the Rajputs were further established.

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 Ranthambhor 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) Mewar was targeted as 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 Bazbahadur, 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

The Rajputs moved from the position of friends and loyal associates to allies
and actively assisted in the expansion of the empire.

By 1570, with the exception of the Sisodias of Mewar who still resisted, most
Rajput states had entered into an alliance with Akbar. The Rana of Mewar did
not agree to personal submission and wanted to regain Chittor
This was further emphasized as there was new resistance by the Sisodias led by
Rana Pratap in the famous battle of Haldighati in 1575. It was not a struggle
between Hindus and Muslims but was the pronouncement of the ideal of
regional independence. Before this, Akhar had still tried to win over the
Sisodias by sending emissaries such as Man Singh and Bhagwan Das but the
Sisodias did not relent. Akbar was successful in the Battle of Haldighati but
despite this, Mewar did not enter into an alliance with Akbar and continued to
resist. However the Rana's power suffered a severe jolt.

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 revoit in Bengal and Bihar

The Turanis were 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. Thus from
allies they now emerged as partners in the kingdom.

Slowly the number of Turani nobles declined and the Rajputs went from 8% to
16% in the Mughal court.

Equation with Smaller Rajput States -

G.SL. Devra has examined the Mughal-Rajput relations in the context of
Akbar's equation with the smaller Rajput states with which he tried to forge
close relations
He 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 -

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.

This was done to construct a sort of class solidarity between the two regarding
the exploitation of the peasantry.

When the Rajput chiefs were inducted in the court and joined Mughal service,
they were assigned high mansabs and were paid through the assignment of
revenues in the form of a jagir

Rajput chiefs became jagirdars and their patrimonial property was recognized
as their jagirs and increasingly as watan jagirs or non- transferable holdings.
Thus, the rights and privileges of Rajput chiefs were substantially continued,
with the difference that privileges that were earlier independent now became
imperial endowments

Moreover, Akbar also started the practice of granting jagirs to Rajputs in areas
other than their watan. He probably realized that the creation of jagirs far
away from their patrimonies would compel a merger of the chiefs own
interests with those of the Empire.
Thus, while Akbar recognized the sentimental attachments of the Rajput chiefs
to their patrimonies and hence refrained from unnecessarily uprooting the old
chiefs from their watans, he yet systematically integrated their principalities
into the empire. The chiefs were reconciled to this by the offers of jagirs and
administrative offices in other parts of the empire.

OTHER FEATURES-

Matrimonial Alliances-
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

The rise of the Kachhwahas of Amber was on account of a matrimonial alliance

Afzal Husain says that there were about 38 marriages during Akhar's reign, of
which about 32 were for political purposes.

Alliances once contracted were believed to continue in the succeeding

generations as well. This, according to Satish Chandra, was a part of Akhar's
long-term policy of establishing close ties between the Rajput states and his
successors.

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. This gave peace to the country
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 to 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. As the sovereign ruler, Akbar's approval was
necessary before succession was considered legitimate.

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.