RAJPUT POLICY OF AKBAR
֍ Rajput policy of Akbar was based on a planned approach towards the Rajputs.
֍ We find following principles which he pursued regarding Rajput rulers:
(a) He captured strong forts of the Rajputs like the forts of Chittor, Merta, Ranthambhor, Kalinjar etc. This weakened the power of the Rajputs to offer him resistance.
(b) Those Rajput rulers who either accepted his sovereignty or entered into matrimonial relations with him voluntarily were left masters of their kingdoms. They were given high offices in the state and there was no interference in their administration. They were, however, asked to pay annual tribute to the emperor.
(c) Those Rajput rulers who opposed him, were attacked and efforts were made to force them to accept his sovereignty. The case of Mewar was the best example of it.
֍ Akbar was impressed by the chivalry, faithfulness, fighting skill, etc. of the Rajputs. Akbar tried several ways to gain the trust of the Rajputs.
֍ The Rajput ruler of Amber, Raja Bharmal was the first one to establish friendly relation with Akbar in 1562. The younger daughter of Bharmal, Harkha Bai (also known as Heer Kuwari, Jodha Bai and as per Mughal chronicle her name was, Mariam-uz-zamani) was married to Akbar.
֍ Akbar gave complete religious freedom to his Hindu wives and honourable position to their parents and relatives in the nobility.
֍ Most Rajput kings recognised Akbar’s supremacy and later on helped Akbar in expanding and consolidating the Mughal empire.
֍ Rajputs like Raja Birbal and Raja Man Singh were his most trusted officials. Both of them were also a part of the navratnas of his court.
֍ Ain-i-Akbari lists names of 24 Rajput mansabdars.
֍ Raja Todarmal was made the head of revenue department.
֍ Akbar abolished the Pilgrimage tax in 1563 and Jizya tax in 1564 as both were based on religion discrimination.
֍ The Rajput policy of Akbar was unique as it not only helped to end the long drawn conflict between the Rajputs and Mughal rulers but also helped Akbar in the consolidation of his empire. It resulted in the development of a composite culture.
֍ At the end of his reign in 1605 the Mughal empire covered most of the northern and central India and was one of the most powerful empires of its age.
RAJPUT POLICY OF AURANGZEB
֍ Aurangzeb reversed the policy which was enunciated by Akbar and pursued by Jahangir and Shah Jahan.
֍ He was a bigot and the Rajputs were the greatest obstacle in persuance of his policy against the Hindus. Aurangzeb, therefore, attempted to destroy the power of the Rajputs and annex their kingdoms.
֍ There were three important Rajput rulers at that time, viz., Raja Jaswant Singh of Marwar, Rana Raj Singh of Mewar and Raja Jai Singh of Jaipur. All the three were at peace with the Mughuls when Aurangzeb ascended the throne. But, Aurangzeb never kept faith in the loyalty of these Rajput rulers.
֍ He deputed Raja Jai Singh in the Deccan where, ultimately, he died in 1666 A.D.
֍ Raja Jaswant Singh was deputed to defend the north-western frontier of the empire. Two of his sons died fighting against the Afghan rebels and he himself died at Jamrud in Afghanistan in 1678 A.D. Aurangzeb was waiting for this opportunity. At that time, there was no successor to the throne of Marwar. He occupied Marwar immediately. While returning from Afghanistan, the two wives of Raja Jaswant Singh gave birth to two sons at Lahore. One of them died but the other named Ajit Singh remained alive. Durga Das, the commander-in-chief of the Rathors requested Aurangzeb to hand over Marwar to Ajit Singh. Aurangzeb did not agree. Ajit Singh was declared the ruler of Marwar and the war of independence of Marwar began from that time.
֍ In 1681 A.D., Akbar, son of Aurangzeb revolted against his father with the support of the Rajputs. The revolt of Akbar failed and he fled to Maharashtra under the protection of Durga Das. Pursuing his son Akbar, Aurangzeb left for the Deccan and could never come back from there.
֍ Marwar fought against the Mughals till the death of the Emperor in 1707 A.D., of course, accepting peace in between twice, and finally succeeded in gaining its independence.
֍ Rana Raj Singh of Mewar, who realized that it was in the interest of Mewar also to fight against the Mughuls, gave support to Marwar.
֍ Aurangzeb failed to subdue either Mewar or Marwar. The only result of his policy against these states was that he lost the support of the Rajputs.
֍ The Rajputs, who were one of the best supporters of the Mughul empire since the reign of Akbar, revolted against Aurangzeb. Their services could no more be utilised in strengthening the Mughul empire.
On the contrary, it added to the troubles of the empire. It encouraged other revolts also.
֍ Thus, the Rajput policy of Aurangzeb failed and its failure contributed to the failure of Aurangzeb and resulted in decline of Mughal Empire .
External link: https://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/20224/1/Unit-11.pdf
