Akbar’s Rajput Policy The policy of seeking a special s pecial relationship with the Rajputs matured under Akbar, and and it was one of the main features of Mughal India, even though the relationship came under starin later on. The ups and downs in the relationship between the Muslim rulers and the Rajputs has been going on since the ultanat!s time. The main reason behind the relationship was to maintain a good relationship with the "amindars in the #orth India or in a broader sense with the indigenous sections of the people. In the Mughal days certain geo$political factors also spurred the rulers to seek lasting arrangements with the Rajputs. Reasons for the Rajput Policy
%. After After &umayun &umayun regaine regained d his kingdom kingdom he realised realised to keep his kingdom kingdom intact intact,, it was e'tremely important to take the support of the most powerful in India, ie, the Rajputs, Akgar also, on ascending the throne,believed that it was important to keep the Rajputs in good humour and so he decided to take his father!s policy forward. (. )or *eace *eace and +rder$ +rder$ Akbar Akbar was was a far sighted sighted ruler ruler and he knew knew that it was was e'tremely e'tremely important to have the political leaders of the &indus onhis side if he wanted to rule the country peacefully. &istory had told him that whenever Rajputs e'tended the hand of friendship it always had good conse-uences. . /nstable /nstable *olitical *olitical 0ondition 0onditionss of Rajasthan$ Rajasthan$ Akbar Akbar was ambitiou ambitiouss and an imperialist imperialistic ic emperor.. &e knew that there was no unity amongst the Rajput Rulers and they were fighting each other for a long time. &e wanted to use this disunity as an instrument for e'panding his empire. 1. 2ualiti 2ualities es of Rajputs Rajputs$ $ Akbar Akbar knew that that the Rajputs Rajputs were brave brave and fierce fierce warrio warriors3 rs3 They were adept at using weapons. They were gifted with -ualities like sacrifice, loyalty, bravery, honesty etc.. To fulfil his political ambitions he realised that he wanted this community to be his friend. 4. carcit carcity y of )oreig )oreign n Muslim oldie oldiers rs$$ ince ince the time of 5abar 5abar,, Mughal Mughal rulers rulers were were dependent on foreign Muslim soldiers. Akbar knew that it was not easy to obtain foreign soldiers in large numbers. econdly they had no sympathy to the people of his country and their loyalty could not be guaranteed. 6. 7'tension 7'tension of the 7mpire 7mpire without without /nnecessary /nnecessary 8ar 8arfare$ fare$ Akbar Akbar wanted wanted to unite India India politically with minimum warfare. &is aim was to consolidate the Mughal empire and so he decided that it was better to be friends with Rajputs than fight wars with them. 9. To end the :elusion :elusion of Mughal Mughal Rulers Rulers :esignated :esignated as )oreign Rulers$ Rulers$ Akbar Akbar wanted to be recognised as an Indian ruler and wanted to end the alieness of the Mughal 7mpire and the Mughals. )or this he e'tended his hand in friendship towards the Rajputs so taht he could secure their good will and cooperation. ;.
In the initial period the Mughals had a tolerant policy towards the Rajputs. 5efore Akbar, &umayun had entered into matrimonial relations in order =to soothe the minds of the "amindars!. &umayun advised Akbar to maintain good relations to get service and obedience from Rajputs and that they can not be reared with transgression. After the coronation Akbar also entered into matrimonial relations with the Raputs. Matrimonial relations both marked a bond and submission. The evolution of Akbar!s Rajput policy can be divided into three main phases :uring the first phase which lasted till about %49(, the Rajput Rajas who submitted to him were considered loyal allies. They were e'pected to render military service in or around their principalities, but not outside. Thus raja 5harMal along with his son 5hagwant :as was the constant companion of Akbar during the /"bek rebellion, but there is no reference of his taking part in any military operations, though both Todar mal and Rai :as were actively involved in the operations. The Second phase of Akbar!s Rajput policy dated from his han. Akbar was in full praise for Man singhs work against the ashmir. Man ingh had been placed incharge of both the Muslim and &indu troops at &aldighati, it was a case of a =&indu wields a sword of Islam!. In the third and the last phase, the Rajputs emerge as partners in the kingdom, and make weight in nobility against the others, especially the Turani nobles of whose loyalty Akbar was not certain, following his break with the /lema. In other words, this development coincides with Akbar!s break with the orthodo' clergy and the issue of Mah"r by Akbar which gave him the right to choose between different schools of law upholding the haria. Akbar!s half brother, Mir"a &akim, who was supported by the orthodo' clergy started to read >hutba in his name in the 7ast. In this pursuit, Akbar was helped by the Rajput commanders. Akbar with Man ingh and Rai ingh inflicted a sharp defeat on Mir"a in >abul. Thus, Rajputs not only emerged as dependable allies who could be used anywhere for fighting, even against princes of blood. They were also employed in the task of governance. In the remaining years of Akbar!s reign, the position of the Rajputs as partners in the kingdom and as the sword arm of the empire was strengthened further. In %4;4$;6 when two sipahsalars or subhadars were appointed to each subah, Rajputs were appointed as joint$ governors of four subas$ ?ahore, >abul, Agra and Ajmer. Man ingh and Raja 5hagwan :as were appointed in >abul and ?ahore, the strategically appointed provinces. Result of the Relations:-
The Mughal$ Rajput alliance was mutually beneficial. The alliance secured to the Mughals the services of the bravest warriors in India. The stead fast loyalty of the Rajputs was an important factor in the consolidation and the further e'pansion of the Mughal empire. +n the other hand, service in the Mughal empire enabled the Rajput Rajas to serve in distant places far away from their homes, and to hold important administrative posts. This further raised their prestige and social status. ervice with the Mughals was also financially rewarding. In additions to their holdings in Rajasthan, the Rajput Rajas were accorded @agirs outside Rajasthan in accordance with their Mansabs. 8hile these jagirs were transferable like any other jagirs, the Rajput Rajas were granted their own homelands as jagirs. They were called 8atan$@agirs. They were not transferrable during the life$ time of a ruler, but increased as their mansab increased. The Rajput Rajas were accorded broad autonomy within their own principalities, though they were e'pected not to levy prohibited ta'es, such as rahdari or road ta'. The Mughals claimed a bind of paramount which implied that the Rajput Rajas did not raid each other territories or try to resolve territorial disputes by resorting to war. The Mughal concept of paramountcy gave peace to the country which enabled peaceful development. It also enabled the Rajas to work in distant places without bothering about peace in their own dominion. A policy of religious tolerance was, undoubtedly, an important factor in building and maintaining this alliance. An erosion of such policy would create tensions.
