Babur established Mughal empire in c. 1526 after defeating Ibrahim Lodhi at the Battle of Panipat. After that number of changes were brought by Mughals in state system in India. Babur and Humayun didn’t get enough time to formulate a proper Rajput policy. It was Akbar who formulated a Rajput policy that helped in consolidation of his empire. After death of Akbar, Mughals did follow the Rajput policy with some changes and many elements were continued from before.
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Rajput Policy of Mughals Under Jahangir and Shah Jahan
Jahangir ascended the throne of Mughal empire after the death of Emperor Akbar. The policy of Akbar was continued by Jahangir and Shah Jahan. They were continued to enjoy high status and higher responsibilities in Mughal empire. They continued to served the state with honesty. Jahangir got success in winning over the state of Mewar which ended almost 100 years old rivalry. A treaty was signed in c. 1650 through which Rana Amar Singh of Mewar accepted the Mughal sovereignty.
Aurangzeb’s Rajput Policy
During the period of c. 1658 to c. 1667, Aurangzeb continued to followed the policy of Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan and even the degree of Rajput-Mughal relations was much higher during this phase compared to the reign of Jahangir and Shah Jahan. Many nobles fought against Aurangzeb in the battle of succession but he pardoned them after ascending the throne and reappointed them in their high offices.
Important responsibilities were continued to given them, for example, Raja Jai Singh was appointed joint commander against Marathas. But during the phase of c. 1667 to c. 1678, the elements of distrust and suspicion were entered in the relations of Mughal-Rajput relations. In 1660, the state of Kishangarh was attacked by his neighbor Rana Raj Singh of Mewat and he did marry his daughter against the will of ruler of Kishangarh. Aurangzeb ignored this.
In c. 1663, Shivaji successfully attacked the Mughal camps in which Shaista Khan got injure and the responsibility of the security of the camp was of Jaswant Singh. And hence, Aurangzeb thinks that Jaswant deliberately left holes in the security of camp. In c 1666, Shivaji escaped from the captive of Kunwar Ran Singh, son of Jai Singh. Hence, Aurangzeb become more suspicion about the intensions of both father and son.
Raja Jai Singh was died in c. 1667, who most capable noble of Aurangzeb. Hence, after his death the relations between Mughals and Rajputs further decline. During this phase, revolts and rebellions faced by Mughal empire such as revolt of Jats, Satnamis, Sikhs and Ahoms. To tackle these challenges, Aurangzeb started to looking towards Muslim nobles. Rajput nobles were posted away from capital.
Kunwar Ram Singh was transferred to Bengal and Raja Jaswant Singh to North-western frontier. But those nobles still enjoying the high status in Mughal empire according to their best ability. During the phase of c. 1679 – c. 1707, the distrust and suspicion of Aurangzeb came into open and he has to fight for one decade against Rajputs, this was the lowest point of Mughal and Rajputs relations.
Aurangzeb annexed the state of Marwar, after the death of Raja Jaswant Singh, a normal practice followed. A posthumous son named Ajit Singh was born but Aurangzeb refused to accepted the genuineness of him. But the most serious mistake committed by Aurangzeb when he tried to sell Marwar to opponent of Jaswant Singh. This step of Aurangzeb triggered revolt in the state of Marwar which was joined by ruler of Mewat. Hence, he fought against them for a decade before establishing peace.
Impact of Aurangzeb’s Rajput Policy
Aurangzeb has to fought against Rajputs but in many Rajputs were still maintained the good relations with Mughal. Like Kota, Bundi, Haroti and Bikaner etc. were still with Mughals as they were before. Maratha region was emerged as strategic challenge and hence, Rajputana lost much of his importance. The capable nobles among Rajputs did not emerge after the death of Raja Jaswant Singh. And hence, the Aurangzeb’s policy was changed with his mentality.