During the sixteenth century, the Mughal Rajput alliance emerged as a response to the political requirements and ambitions of the country's two most powerful ruling elites, the Mughal and the Rajput. The two nurtured their relationship in the context of the empire's relatively slow expansion and limited economic progress. Akbar was a wise statesman of his time as well as an aggressive imperialist. He used a novel policy known as the Akbar Policy of Rajput to consolidate and conquer his empire. In this article, we will discuss Mughal’s Relations with the Rajputs which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Mughal and Rajput Relations - Background

• When Humayun returned to India, he pursued a deliberate policy of attempting to win over the different rulers of India.
• According to Abul Fazl, he entered into matrimonial relations with them to "soothe the minds of the zamindars."
• When Jamal Khan Mewati, the cousin of Hasan Khan Mewati, 'one of the great zamindars of India,' submitted to Humayun, he married his daughters himself and married the younger sister to Bairam Khan.
• Over time, Akbar expanded and refined this policy.
• He stated that the Rajputs were valiant and courageous people who could not be easily crushed by warfare.

Akbar’s Policy Towards Rajputs

• Akbar's success in India was based not only on his military prowess, but also on his tolerant policies.
• He set himself the task of conquering the Rajputs in a peaceful manner.
• He entered into a matrimonial alliance with the Rajputs.
• He began to elevate Rajputs in Mughal service and treated them on par with Mughal nobility.
• He granted the Rajput's religious and political freedom.
• Those who allied with Akbar were largely left in charge of their kingdoms. When conciliation failed, he returned to warfare.
• His carrot-and-stick policy won over the Rajputs, and they became a part of the Mughul empire.
• Akbar, a great politician and foresighted ruler, focused his attention on the Rajputs.
• He knew that no one could establish a permanent empire in India without the active support and cooperation of the Rajputs.

Rajput Policy of Mughals

Tolerance towards Hindu Religion

• Akbar went to great lengths to gain the Hindus' trust. He abolished the non-Muslim jizya (poll tax) and the tax on Hindu pilgrims.
• Sati, the practice of Hindu widows, was also prohibited.

Matrimonial Alliance

• His conciliatory Rajput policy included matrimonial alliances with Rajput princely families and, according to Rajput nobles, high positions in the Mughal court.
• A tolerant religious policy ensured people's cultural and emotional integration. Before Akbar, many Muslim kings had married Rajput princesses.
• In popular accounts, Akbar married Harkha Bhai (also known as Jodha), the daughter of Raja Bhar Mal (also known as Bihari Mal) of Amber.
• He also married Bikaner and Jaisalmer Rajput princesses.

Rajputs Appointed as Officials

• His Rajput policy ensured the empire's services of great warriors and administrators.
• Raja Todar Mal was a revenue expert who rose to the position of Diwan. Birbal was Akbar's companion.
• Akbar appointed Udai Singh, Chandra Sen's brother, as ruler of Jodhpur.

Akbar’s Rajput Policy Followed by Successors

• Akbar's Rajput policy was carried on by his successors, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. Jahangir, whose mother was a Rajput princess, married both a Kacchawaha princess and a Jodhpur princess.
• He also married princesses from the Jaisalmer and Bikaner families. Jahangir elevated the rulers of each of these houses to positions of honour.
• Prince Salim, the son of Harkha Bhai, married Raja Bhagwan Das's daughter.
• The main achievement of Jahangir, however, was the resolution of the outstanding dispute with Mewar.
• Prince Khurram (later Shah Jahan) was tasked with invading the mountainous areas of Mewar with a large army.
• Jahangir completed Akbar's task and strengthened his alliance with the Rajputs.

Conclusion

The Mughal Empire reached the pinnacle of progress in all spheres due to Akbar's broadminded Rajput policy. The Rajputs' cooperation bolstered the Mughal empire's military power. The Rajput kings were assured of their hereditary claims, which proved to be a significant benefit to the weaker state. The Rajputs were also granted religious freedom. Thus, Mughal’s liberal Rajput policy proved extremely beneficial to the Mughal empire.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Who was the first Mughal emperor to establish matrimonial alliances with the Rajputs?

A) Babur
B) Akbar
C) Jahangir
D) Aurangzeb

2. Which Mughal emperor abolished the Jizya tax to gain the trust of Rajputs?

A) Humayun
B) Akbar
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb

3. Which of the following Rajput leaders was a close ally of Akbar?

A) Rana Pratap
B) Raja Man Singh
C) Jai Singh II
D) Maharana Kumbha

4. What was a key feature of Akbar’s Rajput policy?

A) Conquest and suppression
B) Religious persecution
C) Autonomy and alliances
D) Forced conversions

5. Which Mughal emperor’s relationship with the Rajputs deteriorated due to religious policies?

A) Babur
B) Akbar
C) Jahangir
D) Aurangzeb

GS Mains Questions and Answers

Q1: Examine the impact of Akbar's Rajput policy on Mughal administration and governance.

Answer: Akbar's Rajput policy was instrumental in consolidating Mughal power in India. His approach of matrimonial alliances, granting political autonomy, and appointing Rajputs to high administrative positions strengthened the Mughal Empire. Rajput warriors and nobles provided military support and administrative expertise, which enhanced the empire's governance. Akbar's religious tolerance and policies such as the abolition of Jizya fostered mutual trust and integration, laying the foundation for Mughal-Rajput cooperation that lasted for generations.

Q2: Discuss the role of Rajput alliances in the political stability of the Mughal Empire.

Answer: Rajput alliances were pivotal in ensuring the political stability of the Mughal Empire, particularly under Akbar. By integrating Rajputs into the Mughal administration through alliances and appointments, the Mughals secured the loyalty of a powerful martial class. This relationship not only reduced resistance in key regions but also bolstered the Mughal military strength. Rajputs like Raja Man Singh played critical roles in military campaigns, helping maintain internal stability and expand the empire’s influence.

Q3: Analyze how Aurangzeb’s policies differed from Akbar’s in dealing with the Rajputs and its consequences.

Answer: Aurangzeb’s policies towards the Rajputs starkly contrasted with Akbar’s conciliatory approach. While Akbar forged alliances through marriages and religious tolerance, Aurangzeb’s policy of religious orthodoxy and attempts to centralize power alienated many Rajput rulers. His reimposition of Jizya and aggressive expansionist policies led to rebellions, weakening Mughal authority in the region. This shift in policy contributed to the decline of the Mughal Empire as it lost the support of powerful Rajput allies.

Previous Year Questions on Mughal Rajput Relations

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2018

Question: Which Mughal emperor abolished the Jizya tax?
A) Babur
B) Akbar
C) Jahangir
D) Aurangzeb

Answer: B

Explanation: Akbar abolished the Jizya tax as part of his policy of religious tolerance towards the non-Muslims.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1)

Question: Examine the significance of Rajput alliances in Akbar's administrative and military success.

Answer: Rajput alliances were crucial to Akbar’s administrative and military success. By incorporating Rajput leaders into the Mansabdari system, Akbar strengthened the Mughal military with their martial prowess. Rajput nobles were granted autonomy, and matrimonial alliances cemented trust. Leaders like Raja Man Singh became key figures in Akbar’s administration and military campaigns. This cooperation stabilized Mughal rule in northern India and ensured the empire’s expansion into key regions like Rajasthan and Gujarat.