Rajput Policy Of Akbar: Features, Phases, Reasons, Impacts & UPSC Notes

The Rajput policy of Akbar was significantly different from that of his predecessors. Akbar was a great pragmatist. He was the first Muslim ruler to recognize that establishing a permanent empire in India required the cooperation of the Rajputs. Thus, Akbar utilized a mix of diplomatic and military strategies to gain control over the Rajputs while also attempting to establish a friendship with them.

After coming to the throne, Akbar's Rajput policy was to make peace with the Rajputs through negotiations and non-violent means like marriage. He sought alliance and friendship with rulers like Raja Bharmal of Amer and Raja Bhagwan Das of Mewar. In this article, we will learn about the Rajput policy of Akbar for the UPSC IAS exam and the UPSC History Optional exam.

The rajput policy of akbar is a topic relevant to the UPSC CSE. It is a basic topic for aspirants to understand the historical aspect of the rajput policy of akbar. The rajput policy of akbar is an important topic for UPSC Civil Services because it highlights the prime features of the rajput policy of akbar, which are frequently discussed in the exam. Join UPSC Coaching today to boost your preparation. 

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What is the Rajput Policy of Akbar? 

Akbar was a great pragmatist. He was the first Muslim ruler to realize that without the help of the Rajputs, no permanent empire could be set up in India. Accordingly, he took measures to secure their cooperation. He treated them as very trustworthy friends and not mere vassals. He abandoned the old policy of repression and persecution of the Rajputs.

Akbar's Rajput policy was based on diplomacy and force, which are the two potent weapons of statecraft. But he relied more on diplomacy.

Akbar was the first Mughal emperor to pursue a planned policy toward the Rajputs. Various factors contributed to the formation of his Rajput policy. Akbar was an imperialist. He desired to bring under his rule as much territory of India as possible. Therefore, it was necessary to get the Rajput rulers under his suzerainty. Akbar was impressed by the chivalry, faithfulness, darkness, fighting skill, etc., of the Rajputs. He preferred to befriend them instead of turning them into his enemies. He wanted dependable allies from among the Indian people instead of depending on foreigners.

The revolt of the Afghans and his relatives, the Mirzas, during the early period of his rule further convinced him of this necessity. The Rajputs, therefore, became his good choice. The liberal religious policy of Akbar also directed him to be friendly with them. Akbar tried to befriend the Rajputs but, at the same time, desired to bring them under his suzerainty.

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The relations between the Mughal Empire and the Rajput empire were complex. At times, they were allies, and at other times, they were adversaries. There were marriages between the two, leading to cooperation and battles.

• The initial interactions were largely confrontational. Babur, the founder of the Mughal empire, fought several battles against the Rajputs, especially the Rana of Mewar. However, his son Humayun allied with some Rajput kingdoms against Sher Shah Suri.
• Akbar, the grandson of Babur, followed a policy of alliance and integration with the Rajputs. He made alliances through marriage and gave high positions to Rajput warriors at his court. This brought most Rajput kingdoms into the Mughal Empire.
• The Rajputs maintained their status and identity even while becoming part of the Mughal Empire. They fought in Mughal armies and held essential offices in Mughal rule.
• However, there were also instances of conflict. The Rana of Mewar refused to ally with the Mughals. Akbar had to lay siege many times to the Chittor Fort but could not conquer it during his lifetime.
• A major clash happened over the conversion to Islam. Akbar wanted some Rajput clans who had intermarried with the Mughals to convert. This led to a confrontation with some Rajput chiefs, including the rulers of Marwar and Dhundhar.
• Jahangir and Shah Jahan continued the alliance and integration policy with the Rajputs. They gave high titles and positions to Rajputs in their courts. Marriages with Rajput rulers also continued during this period.
• The relations started deteriorating under Aurangzeb's rule. He followed a more orthodox Islamic policy and withdrew some privileges given to the Rajputs. This led to resentment and confrontation with Rajputs.
• There were some Rajput uprisings against Aurangzeb, especially in Mewar and Marwar. However, the Mughals were able to suppress most of these uprisings militarily.
• In the end, though there were periods of cooperation and integration, the underlying tensions between the Rajputs and the Mughals remained. The Rajputs largely accepted Mughal authority for political reasons but continued to maintain their separate Rajput identity.

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Akbar Rajput's Policy was to win over the Rajputs. He saw that a successful reign over India could be barred out only by inculcating the Rajputs in the Mughal governance system. He had a deliberate approach to the Rajputs. The Rajput policy of Akbar rested on the foundations of diplomacy, tolerance and marriage union. The Rajputs were courageous, brave fighters, loyal, and faithful people, and they greatly impressed Akbar. Instead of turning Rajputs into his enemies, he made alliances with them.

Akbar Rajput Policy Evolution

Akbar developed the Rajput policy in a conflictual relationship between the Rajputs and the Mughals. It reinforced the ties due to Akbar's alliance policy, which deteriorated during the reign of Aurangzeb. The development through different Mughal Rulers has been given below in detail:

• Babur: He is the founder of the Mughal empire, and he fought with the Rajputs, especially the Rana of Mewar.
• Humayun, the son of Babur, joined forces with certain Rajput kingdoms to fight against Sher Shah Suri.
• Akbar: He wanted to be in a partnership and assimilation with the Rajputs, and he formed marriages and gave them superior jobs in court.
• Jahangir and Shah Jahan: They furthered the alliance and inclusion of the Rajputs and awarded them good titles and positions.
• Aurangzeb: His policy worsened relations, and the more orthodox Islamic policy and removal of Rajput privileges were resented and confrontational.

Akbar and the Rajputs

The Mughal emperor Akbar had many conflicts with the Rajput kingdoms in northern India. The Rajputs were proud warriors who ruled many areas that Akbar wanted to expand his Empire into. This led to several wars between Akbar and different Rajput kingdoms.

• When Akbar came to the throne, he wanted to expand the Mughal Empire. The Rajput kingdoms controlled much of northern India, including Rajasthan and Haryana. So, Akbar first had to defeat the Rajputs to gain control of these areas.
• One of Akbar's first conflicts was with Rana Sanga of Mewar in 1567. Rana Sanga led a big coalition of many Rajput kingdoms against Akbar. They fought a big battle where Akbar's army narrowly defeated the Rajputs. However, Mewar remained independent and refused to join the Mughal empire.
• After this, Akbar decided to win over the Rajputs through conciliatory methods instead of just warfare. The Rajput policy of Akbar was based on forming marital alliances with Rajput kings. If a Rajput princess married Akbar's son or grandson, the Rajput kingdom would have peacefully joined the Mughal Empire.
• The first Rajput kingdom Akbar allied with was Bikaner in 1585. Akbar's son Daniyal married the daughter of Raja Rai Singh of Bikaner. Bikaner then became part of the Mughal Empire.
• Amar Singh, the king of Jaipur, also gave his daughter to Akbar's son, Salim(later known as Emperor Jahangir). This helped Jaipur join the Mughal Empire.
• In 1587, Akbar also married Jodha Bai, the daughter of Raja Bharmal of Amber. This further improved relations between the Mughals and the Rajputs of Rajasthan. Many more Rajput kingdoms started forming marital alliances with Akbar.
• However, Mewar remained independent and never joined the Mughal empire through marriage. The queen of Mewar even stopped her ladies-in-waiting from marrying Mughal princes.
• Akbar invaded Mewar multiple times to force them to submit, but faced stiff resistance from Rana Pratap and his generals. The Mughals defeated the Rajputs in many battles but could not conquer the fort of Chittor, which Rana Pratap held on to.
• Eventually, Akbar gave up his attempts to conquer Mewar and made peace with Rana Pratap. While most other Rajput kingdoms joined the Mughals, Mewar remained independent throughout Akbar's reign.
• Though Akbar and the Rajputs faced many clashes initially, Akbar's conciliatory policy of forming marital alliances helped absorb most Rajput kingdoms into the Mughal Empire. Rajputs then started serving in Akbar's army and administration and played an important role during his reign.
• On the one hand, kingdoms such as the Bikaner, Jaipur and Amber joined the Mughals without bitter conflict. Still, on the other hand, the indomitable spirit of Rana Pratap and Mewar saw to it that one of the Rajput states remained free and free of defeat. The fight between the Rajputs and Akbar depicts not only the warrior skills of the Rajputs but also the dexterity of Akbar in his rule.
• In conclusion, though Akbar and the Rajputs had many conflicts initially, Akbar's policy of conciliation and intermarriage helped bring most Rajput kingdoms into the Mughal fold, except Mewar, which remained proudly independent. The Rajput-Mughal relationship showcases the two groups' strengths and weaknesses during that period in Indian history.
• Akbar pursued a policy of diplomacy and alliance with the Rajputs, and matrimonial relations, political independence, and the granting of high places in his service were used as weapons of unity, which formed an excellent base for the Mughal Empire.

Policy of Marriage Alliances

Marriage alliances were also a significant element in Akbar's Rajput policy. Akbar wanted to create tight bonds, so Akbar married Rajput princesses. A marriage between Akbar and Jodha Bai, the daughter of Raja Bharmal of Amber, was one of the flashy. The resulting alliances resulted in the bringing of mutual respect. It even guaranteed Rajput's fidelity to the Mughal Empire.

Granting High Positions

A prestigious position was another characteristic of Akbar Rajput's policy. Akbar treated Rajputs with critical positions in his government. A lot of Rajputs turned into governors and commanders. Raja Man Singh of Amber was a significant figure in the military. This was a policy that brought Rajput closer to the Mughal administration.

Religious Tolerance

Akbar was a religiously tolerant person. His policy was friendly to the Rajput traditions and beliefs. Rajputs had the freedom to worship their gods. Akbar did not coerce Rajputs to convert to Muslims. It played a significant role in helping Akbar's Rajput policy to succeed.

Policy of Diplomacy and Friendship

Akbar had diplomatic relations with the Rajputs. Akbar did not resort to war but to peace treaties. He gave respect and equal status to the Rajput rulers. Diplomacy minimized warfare and established unchanging boundaries. Diplomatic work was a factor that made Akbar's Rajput policy successful.

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Features Of The Rajput Policy Of Akbar

The Rajput policy of Akbar involved diplomacy, matrimony, and military strategy. This plan aimed to gain the Rajput kings' consent and establish a stable and multicultural empire. Akbar had a liberal Rajput policy. He adhered to a few significant aspects in dealing with the Rajputs. The following are the essentials of the Rajput policy of Akbar:

• The first feature of Akbar's Rajput policy was intermarriage alliances or political marriages. Akbar married many Rajput princesses to strengthen ties with the Rajput states. He married Princess Heer Kunwari from Bikaner, Princess Bhagirathi from Jodhpur, and Princess Jagat Gosaini from Amer. These political marriages helped create friendly relations with the Rajputs.
• The second feature of Akbar's Rajput policy was granting high mansabs or ranks to Rajput chiefs. Akbar granted high mansabs and ranked many Rajput chieftains to make them part of his imperial service. Rajputs like Raja Bhagwan Das, Raja Man Singh, and Raja Todar Mal were given important ranks and positions in the Mughal court.
• Third, Akbar followed a religious tolerance policy with the Rajputs. Rajputs followed Hinduism, while Akbar was a Muslim. But Akbar did not interfere in the spiritual affairs of the Rajputs. This policy of religious harmony helped improve Akbar's relations with Rajputs.
• Fourth, Akbar adopted a non-interference policy in the Rajput states' internal affairs. 
• Fifth, Akbar gifted jagirs or land grants to Rajput rulers as a goodwill gesture. Many Rajput chieftains were given jagirs and mansabs during Akbar's reign. This boosted Akbar's image as a benevolent emperor among the Rajputs.

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Rajput Policy of Akbar - Phases

The Rajput policy of Akbar was developed in three phases. The first phase included securing a political alliance with Rajput rulers. The second phase included consolidating those relationships with Rajput rulers. The third phase marks the departure of Akbar from Muslim Orthodoxy. Also, Rajputs became partners with the Mughal administration. These policies became very crucial in the expansion and stability of the Mughal Empire.

• First Phase: During the first phase, till 1569-70, Akbar followed a policy similar to that of the Delhi Sultans, focusing on military conquests and marital alliances. His first alliance was with Raja Bharmal of Amber.
• Second Phase: From 1570 onwards, Akbar strengthened his alliance with Rajputs by incorporating them into the Mughal administration and the army. Rajputs became the sword arm of the Mughal army. The Rajputs became crucial allies during this phase. For example, Akbar appointed Raja Man Singh to lead the Mughal army against Rana Pratap in 1576.

• Third Phase: In this period, following 1580, Akbar became more tolerant of the Rajputs, which was in line with the orthodox tradition of the ulema. Bhagwant Singh and Man Singh were raised to the top echelons. This stage sums up the further assimilation of Rajputs into Mughal rule. In later years of his reign, Akbar developed a syncretic religion, Din-i-Ilahi; it tried to incorporate the finest parts of all other religions.

The Rajput policy of Akbar - Reasons

• Political Stability: Akbar did not want to have battles with Rajputs because it had been troublesome for previous Mughal rulers and weakened them.
• Expansion of the Mughal Empire: The Rajputs controlled strategically essential areas like Mewar, which was necessary for Akbar to take under his control to consolidate and expand his Empire.
• Loyal Partners: Akbar faced conspiracies from people in his court, so he considered the Rajputs good friends who would ensure his reign's stability.
• National Ambition: Akbar wanted to become a national Emperor, so the cooperation of Hindus and Muslims was necessary for political strength.

Impact of the Rajput Policy of Akbar

In the Mughal Empire, the Rajput policy of Akbar had a wide effect because it created a stable political environment, built strong alliances, and incorporated Rajput rulers in the running of the Mughal administration, consequently consolidating Mughal rule over India.

Strengthening the Mughal Empire

The vast expansion of Mughal land is the Rajput policy of Akbar. The Rajput assistance fortified the Mughal military power. The Empire of Akbar stabilized and was successful. The Rajput unions minimized revolts and internal attacks. This policy consolidated the Mughal power in the North of India.

Cultural Integration

Under the Rajput policy, which was prominent during the reign of Akbar, cultural integration thrived well. The Rajput traditions and the Mughal culture merged. There was a varying influence on architecture, art and literature. This cultural exchange was facilitated by Rajput princes who showed up in the courts of Akbar. This strengthened uniformity in the different Mughal Empire.

Military Benefits

Rajputs were known warriors. Their induction into the Mughal armies gave the latter a significant boost. Akbar employed the services of Rajput generals when he needed them urgently in military ventures. Rajput lords such as Raja Man Singh led the triumphant combats. Their courage played a critical role in the expansion of the Mughal empire.

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