Describe the Rajput policy of the Mughal Emperors. Do you agree with the view that-the reversal of Akbar’s Rajput Policy by Aurangzeb was responsible for he disintegration of the Mughal Empire? मुगल शासकों की राजपूत-नीति का विवरण दीजिए । क्या आप इस मत से सहमत हैं कि औरंगजेब द्वारा अकबर की राजपूत नीति को उलटने के कारण मुगल साम्राज्य का विघटन हुआ?[UPPSC, 1999]

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Write an essay on the Rajput policy of the Mughals. मुगलों की राजपूत नीति पर एक निवन्ध लिखिए। [UPPSC, 2016]

Ans:

The Rajput policy of the Mughal emperors:

The Mughal policy towards the Rajputs contributed to the expansion and consolidation of the Mughal Empire. In fact, it was largely designed to serve the political needs for the empire.

The Mughal alliance with the Rajputs was not only determined by personal religious beliefs of the individual rulers. But, policy was governed by multiple forces and situation, e.g.: The struggle for supremacy or autonomy by the aristocratic elements, the socio-cultural factors and the geo-strategic context of the country.

Babur:

Rana Sanga has negotiated with Babur against the Lodi. As Babur progressed in accordance with the agreement, Sanga retraced his steps. Sanga was surprised by arrival of Babur in Gangetic valley. Rana Sanga with alliances with Afghan tried to hold back the advance of Babur toward Delhi. Conflict between Sanga and Babur was not religious in nature because of the very nature of the composition of Sanga’s coalition. Though Babur proclaimed the contest against Sanga as Jihad but it was an attempt to meet the challenge by appealing to the religious sentiments of his soldiers. Rana Sanga was defeated by Babur at Khanwa and Chanderi.

During Babur’s 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’s stance as regards Rajasthan was essentially defence oriented: an offensive policy was postponed for a later date. He realised that due to internecine warfare in Mewar its power was waning. Therefore, for Humayun, its military importance as an ally was inadequate.

During both Humayun and Babur, relation with Rajputs were largely deterred by Afghan problem and friendly relation could not be developed.

Akbar:

Akbar’s alliance with the Rajputs began as a political coalition but later, it developed into an instrument of closer relations between Hindus and Muslims which formed the basis for a broad liberal tolerant policy towards all, irrespective of faith.

His policy can be perceived in 3 phases:

• The First Phase (till 1569-70):
  • Rajput had already impressed Akbar in 1557, when a Rajput contingent under Bhara Mal, the ruler of Amber, had demonstrated its loyalty to Akbar.
  • Matrimonial alliances: These marriages were in the nature of political compromise and did not imply conversion to Islam and break with Hindu traditions. These also did not lead to any kind of special bond between Rajputs and Mughals. Nor were these alliances with Rajputs intended to be aimed at countering recalcitrant elements or using the Rajputs for military gains. In fact, matrimonial alliance was not unique and such alliances were a common feature before Akbar’s time also.
  • Akbar period also ushered in an era of personal fidelity. Akbar was trying to establish intimate relations with those chieftains who submitted to him personally. A personal relationship, it was felt, would best ensure political allegiance.
  • The liberal measures such as ‘abolition of jiziya, remission of pilgrim taxes, etc. which Akbar introduced between 1562-64, strengthened people’s faith in Akbar as a liberal ruler. But these measures did not create an atmosphere of total peace between the Mughals and Rajputs. e.g. during war of Chittor, the Rajputs offered firm resistance despite the presence of Bhagwant Singh with Akbar. Akbar on the other hand proclaimed the conflict as jihad and martyrs as ghazis giving the whole affair a religious colour, but it was again to raise the religious sentiment in soldiers for fight.
  • Thus, in the first phase Akbar’s attitude towards Rajputs softened. Rajputs (e.g. Rao Dalpat Rai) were accepted in the imperial service and given jagir. Marriage alliances also helped softening this relation. Few Rajputs became close confidant of Akbar, e.g: when Akbar proceeded on the Gujarat campaign, Agra was placed under Bharamal charge.
  • However, Akbar’s religious views his public policies and attitude towards Rajputs developed along separate lines and coincided only at a later stage.
• The Second Phase:

• • Akbar tried to develop and extend the alliance with Rajputs but certain components of the earlier policy were retained.
  • The Gujarat expedition of Akbar was an important landmark in ‘the evolution of Mughal-Rajput relations. The Rajputs were enlisted as soldiers systematically and their salaries were fixed for the first time.

• The Rajputs were deployed outside Rajasthan for the first time and were given significant assignments and posts.
  • During the Gujarat insurrection of the Mirzas, Akbar depended largely or Rajputs (Kachawahas) Man Singh and Bhagwant Singh.
• The Rana of Mewar did not agree to personal submission and wanted to regain Chittor. Akbar remained firm on the principle of personal homage. In the meantime Marwar was subdued by Akbar. Again the resistence with Rana of Mewar was neither a struggle between Hindus and Muslims nor a struggle for independence from foreign rule. To some extent it can be characterized as the pronouncement of the ideal of regional independence.
• Till the end of the second phase, Akbar’s Rajput policy had not acquired a shape which would be disapproved by the Muslim orthodox religious elements or which would be a threat to the Muslim character of the state.

• The Third Phase:
  • This phase is marked by Akbar’s break with Muslim orthodoxy.
  • The fall from power of the chief sadr Abdun Nabi and the proclamation of the mahzar are important events which constitute the starting point of Akbar’s break with orthodoxy.
  • The reimposition of jiziya (1575): It was a step in preparation for war with Mewar, shows that Akbar had to rely on religion for serving political ends.
  • The Rajputs became the sword-arm of the Empire and became actively involved in Mughal administration. It largely happened as consequence of Mirza Hakim’s invasion, during which Akbar heavily relied upon Rajputs and in return they displayed considerable valour and loyality. Akbar rewarded them by making Bhagwant Das the governor of Lahore and Man Singh the commander of the Indus region.
  • Akbar also tried to forge close relations with the Rajput ruling houses by marriage alliances his prince Salim and Daniyal. These marriages reveal Akbar’s desire to compel his successor to the throne to carry on the policy of maintaining close relationship with the Rajputs.
  • In 1583-84, Akbar initiated a new policy of selecting loyal Muslim and Hindu nobles for performing administrative tasks. e.g: Raja Birbal was a close associate of Akbar and was responsible for justice. Rai Durga Sisodia of Rampura and Raja Todar Mal were assigned administrative tasks in the revenue department. It cannot be said with certainty to what extent this policy of deploying Rajputs for carrying out administrative tasks was successful. Abul Fazl gives the impression that it was not properly implemented.
  • By 1585-86, Akbar’s Rajput policy had become fully developed. The alliance with Rajputs had become steady and stable. The Rajputs were now not only allies but were partners in the Empire.
  • The concept of Mughal Paramountcy implied controlling succession to the throne in Rajput states. Akbar had pronounced that the grant of tika was the prerogative of the Mughal Emperor and could not be claimed as a matter of right
  • Akbar tried to promote heterogeneous contingents to cut across the ethic-religious distinctions. Akbar tried to encourage nobles to maintain mixed contingents consisting of ethnic groups like the Mughals, Rajputs etc. However, all these didn’t give much result and ethnic-religious ties could not be weakened.
  • Thus, Akbar’s alliance with the Rajputs began as a political coalition but later, it developed into an instrument of closer relations between Hindus and Muslims which formed the basis for a broad liberal tolerant policy towards all, irrespective of faith.

• • By this time, Mughal-Rajput relations were seen as the beginning of a secular, non-sectarian state in which all sections of people would have some interest in its continuation. But this was not in accordance with the social and political reality.
    • The Rajputs were generally orthodox in their social and religious outlook. They refused to enroll themselves in Akbar’s tauhid llahi and also did not support Akbar in opposing sati.
    • Like the Rajputs, the Mughal elite was also generally orthodox, The Mughal elite and Ulema feared, that a broad liberal policy would be detrimental to their dominant position.

Jahangir:

• During Jahangir’s and Shah Jahan’s time, the alliance with the Rajputs established by Akbar was strengthened despite certain hurdles.
• The most creditable achievement of Jahangir was the cessation of war with Mewar. He did not press upon personal submission of the Rana and accepted the homage paid by his son. Matrimonial relations with Mughals were also not forced upon the Rana
• Jahangir carried forward Akbar’s policy of establishing matrimonial relations with the Rajput rajas. However, after Mewar’s submission these marriages took place less frequently. Most of them took place while Mewar was opposing the Mughals. Once Mewar had been humbled, the alliance with the Rajputs had become stable. Thus, to some extent,these marriages served only a fixed political aim. Marriages did bring about amicable relations between Mughals and Rajputs.
• Rajputs were also given higher ranks. The rulers of four leading states of Rajputana-Mewar, Marwar, Amber and Bikaner-held the mansab of 5000 zat or above. Kachchawahas lost their dominant position (were had dominant position during Akbar reign) in the nobility. During the first decade of Jahangir’s reign there was a sharp fall in the total mansab granted to the Rajputs following Khusrau’s rebellion.
• The Rajputs were mainly employed as qila’ dars of forts or as faujdar. But this trend was not inflexible nor rested on communal considerations as Jahangir was liberal in matters pertaining to religion.

Shah Jahan:

• Rajputs were given important commands and were granted high mansabs. This reflects that he trusted the Rajputs and assigned them important duties.
• Shah Jahan, however, discontinued Jahangir’s policy of not granting subadari to the Rajput rajas of leading houses. However, these assignments were few and infrequent.
• The Rajputs continued to be given posts such as qiladar and faujdar. The differentiation between civil and military was still made on the basis of caste and ethnic origins.
• The Rajputs continued to be allies but their role in administration was negligible.
• Two conflicts against Bundelas and Mewar took place during Shah Jahan’s reign and both occurred due to conflicting interpretations of concept of paramountcy and suzerainty. The Mughals tried to make it clear that no subordinate raja could extend his territory without the consent of the Mughal Emperor.

Aurangzeb:

• He was lukewarm towards the Rajputs. Rajputs were not given important assignments except few exception in earlier period of his reign e.g: Mirza Raja jai singh was given responsibility of Deccan.
• He also interfered in matters relating to matrimonial alliances among the Rajputs.
• The rulers of Amber, Bikaner, Bundi and Kota continued to receive mansabs. But they were not accorded high ranks or positions in Aurangzeb’s reign like during the reign of Akbar and his successors Jahangir and Shah Jahan.
• Wars with Mewar and Marwar also affected the relationship with Rajput. But it can’t be seen the discontinuation of Akbar’s policy of alliance with the Rajputs. the wars reflect the conflict between the policy of alliance with the Rajputs and the broader policy of winning over the local ruling elites, i.e. zamindars.
• As the Mughal Empire got consolidated in the north, the next step was to extend its boundaries southwards which meant alliance with local ruling elements, i.e., the Marathas. Thus, Aurangzeb’s orthodoxy solely didn’t shaped his Rajput policy.
• The Rajputs lost their prominent position in the Mughal system. The importance of the Marathas increased in the second half of the 17th century. Now the Rajputs needed the alliance with the Mughals.
• Thus, Aurangzeb’s Rajput policy was a result of various various prevailing circumstances.

This new policy of Aurangzeb indeed harmed the Mughal empire.

• The wars with Mewar and Marwar were a drain on the treasury.
• His new Rajput policy worry both to the Rajputs as well as to a section of the Mughal nobility. This is evident from the Rajput-Mughal nobles’ complicity in the rebellion of Prince Akbar.
• Aurangzeb’s Rajput policy reflected his incompetence to deal with issues effectively which affected the prestige of the Empire.
• It led to political and religious discord which demonstrated lack of political acumen. All this gave impetus to rebellions by the Mughal Princes in league with the Rajputs.

But this can not be taken as reason behind disintegration of the  Mughal Empire:

• Though the wars with Mewar and Marwar were a drain on the treasury, it was not a serious one and did not in any substantial way affect the overland trade to the Cambay seaports.
• His policy was largely as per the political need of the empire. During this time large number of Maratha’s were recruited in services. Rajputs numbers were reduced mainly in percentage. Still large number of them were in service.
• It was his Deccan project which affected more negatively.
• Disintegration of empire was result of various other reason not homogeneously applied for every reason.

Thus We can say that Aurangzeb reversal from Rajput policy of Akbar did affected Mughal empire negatively, It can’t be called as solely responsible for the disintegration of the Mughal Empire. ©selfstudyhistory.com