Akbar was a wise statesman of his time as well as an aggressive imperialist. He understood that conquests of states without their consolidation would be futile. He used a novel policy known as the Rajput policy of Akbar to consolidate and conquer his empire. The Rajputs were a prestigious warrior class in Hindu society at the time, known for their heroism, sense of duty, and devotion to their motherland. Akbar understood the significance of this class. He also understood that conquering the Rajputs by force was impossible. As a result, he changed his policy and extended his hand in friendship to them. He knew that his friendship with the Rajputs would mean a lot to him. In this article, we will discuss Relation of Mughals with the Rajputs which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Relation with Rajputs - Background

• Akbar's relations with the Rajputs must be viewed against the backdrop of Mughal policy toward the country's powerful rajas and zamindars.
• When Humayun returned to India, he pursued a deliberate policy of attempting to win over these elements.
• 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 one of his beautiful daughters himself and married the younger sister to Bairam Khan.
• Over time, Akbar expanded and refined this policy.
• Bhara Mal, the ruler of Amber, had arrived at Akbar's court in Agra shortly after his accession.
• He had made a good impression on the young king, because when everyone else was fleeing from a maddened elephant, the Rajputs under Bhara Mal stood firm.
• When Akbar was on his way to Ajmer in 1562, he learned that the local Mughal governor was harassing Bhara Mal.
• Bhara Mal paid personal homage to Akbar and sealed the alliance by marrying his younger daughter, Harkha Bai, to Akbar.

Akbar’s Approach Towards Rajputs

• Babur and Humayun had strained relations with Rajputs. Only Akbar correctly stated that the Rajput were a valiant and courageous people who could not be easily crushed by warfare.
• As a result, he set himself the task of conquering Rajputs. 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 Rajputs 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 Rajput, and they became a part of the Mughul empire.
• The Raiputs ruled India prior to the establishment of Muslim rule. Despite the fact that the Turks and Afghans established control over a large portion of India, the Rajputs continued to oppose the Muslims because they wished to establish a Hindu Empire in India.
• Babur, Akbar's great grandfather, had to wage a bloody war against the Rajputs in order to establish his dominance in India.
• It demonstrates that their spirit of independence was still strong, and that more than three hundred years of Muslim rule could not dampen their spirit of independence.
• The first two emperors, Babur and Humayun, were unable to implement a specific policy against the Raiputs due to a lack of time or their precarious position.
• But Akbar, a great politician and foresighted ruler, focused his attention on the Rajputs. He knew that no one could establish a permanent empire in lndia without the active support and cooperation of the Raiputs.
• Akbar's success in India was based not only on his military prowess, but also on his tolerant policies. Prior to Akbar, conquering rulers plundered, insulted, and assassinated the vanquished; but Akbar changed his policy.
• He decided to treat Hindus and Muslims equally and adopted the policy of peace and consolation. He refused to dismiss Hindus as illiterate because they worshipped idols.
• He fought some fierce battles against the Rajputs, but as soon as they surrendered or accepted the Mughal Empire's suzerainty, he gladly established cordial relations with them and befriended almost all of the vanquished Rajput rulers.

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 practise of Hindu widows, was also prohibited.
• Matrimonial Alliance
  • The practise of enslaving war prisoners was also abandoned. 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.
  • However, Akbar's broadmindedness was instrumental in these matrimonial alliances becoming a synthesising force between two different cultures as he maintained close relations with the families.
  • 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.
  • Prince Salim, the son of Harkha Bhai, married Raja Bhagwan Das's daughter. Raja Man Singh, the son of Bhagwan Das, became Akbar's trusted general.
  • Even Rajputs who refused to form matrimonial alliances received high honours at Akbar's court.
• 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. The Rajput kingdoms of Mewar and Marwar stood up to the Mughal empire.
  • Rana Udai Singh's son, Rana Pratap Singh, refused to recognise Akbar's suzerainty and fought against the Mughals until his death in 1597.
  • The last battle between Mughal forces and Rana Pratap Singh took place in 1576 at Haldighati.
  • In Marwar (Jodhpur), the ruler Chandra Sen, son of Maldeo Rathore, fought against the Mughals until his death in 1581, despite the fact that his brother fought for the Mughals.
  • Akbar appointed Udai Singh, Chandra Sen's brother, as ruler of Jodhpur.
  • In the beginning, Akbar's capital was in Agra but later on Akbar's capital was Fatehpur Sikri, which he rebuilt.
  • This city is now deserted, but it contains a beautiful mosque, a magnificent Buland Darwaza, and numerous other structures.

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.
• The main achievement of Jahangir, however, was the resolution of the outstanding dispute with Mewar. Rana Pratap was succeeded by his son, Amar Singh.
• Akbar had sent a series of expeditions against Amar Singh in order to force him to accept his terms. Jahangir was sent against him twice, but he had little success. Jahangir took up the issue vigorously after his accession in 1605.
• Three campaigns were launched in quick succession, but they were unable to break the rana's will. Jahangir himself arrived in Ajmer in 1613 to direct the campaign.
• Prince Khurram (later Shah Jahan) was tasked with invading the mountainous areas of Mewar with a large army.
• The Mughal army's heavy pressure, the country's depopulation, and agricultural ruination eventually had their effect. Some sardars defected to the Mughals, while many more pressed the rana for peace.
• The rana's son, Karan Singh, who was sent to Jahangir's court, was warmly welcomed. Jahangir rose from his throne, embraced him in the darbar, and showered him with gifts.
• Jahangir did not insist on the rana paying personal homage to him or entering the royal service in order to preserve the rana's prestige.
• Prince Karan was given the rank of 5000, which had previously been given to the rulers of Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Amber.
• With a contingent of 1500 sawars, he was to serve the Mughal emperor. All of Mewar's territories, including Chittor, were reclaimed.
• However, because of Chittor's strategic importance, it was agreed that its fortifications would not be repaired.
• Thus, Jahangir completed Akbar's task and strengthened his alliance with the Rajputs.

Conclusion

The Mughal empire reached the pinnacle of progress in all spheres thanks to Akbar's broadminded Rajput policy. The establishment of peace accelerated the growth of trade and commerce, which aided greatly in the formation of the nation. The Rajputs' cooperation bolstered the Mughal empire's military power. Akbar was the Mughal ruler who treated Rajputs equally with the rest of the nobility and gave them access to the highest positions. 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, Akbar's liberal Rajput policy proved extremely beneficial to the Mughal empire.