PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION (2021) 58(2): 8518-8521 ISSN: 00333077

Akbar’s Rajput Policy: Causes, Features And Significance

Jangila Mushahary
Research Scholar
Dept. of History, Bodoland University
Email: jangila1991@gmail.com
Mobile: +917002274603

Abstract:

There is no doubt in denying the fact that in the medieval history of India, Akbar occupies a
prominent and towering place. He is generally counted among those Muslim rulers who ruled with
foresightedness. The Rajput policy adopted by Akbar was the result of his foresightedness that opened new
avenues in the history of Mughal dynasty. He was very much conscious of the fact that in order to rule with
peace, it was necessary to keep the Rajputs on his side, and for this he changed his vision. He gave equal
importance to Rajputs and Hindus which resulted in a favorable environment for the growth of Mughal
Empire.

Key-words: Policy, environment, equality, fraternity, dynasty.

Article Received: 18 October 2020, Revised: 3 November 2020, Accepted: 24 December 2020

Introduction: political synthesis without their intelligent

and active corporation.”
There is no doubt in denying the fact that 2. Personal Reasons: There were many
Akbar was the first and foremost rulers in India personal reasons responsible for
who established friendship and relationship with establishing the friendship with the
Rajputs. By doing so, Akbar wanted to convey the Rajputs. It goes without saying that Akbar
message of love and fraternity to the whole world. faced a number of battles since the
Many factors were responsible for Akbar's Rajputs beginning of his taking charge of his
policy and a few of these reasons are as follow: Kingdom and there were many Muslim
soldiers and rulers who were fulfilling
1. Political Reasons: Akbar after taking their own purposes. In other words, Akbar
charge of his Kingdom, very minutely was surrounded the selfish courtiers. In
analysed the whole situation of the past his court, there used to be many
that for the last 350 years, the situation of conspiracies against Akbar, so it was not
Mughal empire was not so good. He possible for Akbar to rule in a smooth and
concluded the fact that that even the peaceful manner. In order to get rid of this
Mughal Emperors like Balbon, Alauddin difficult situation Akbar decided to make
Khilji and Muhammad Tughlaq were not all the Rajputs as his friends and
able to establish a permanent Mughal companion.
dynasty during their time period, and for 3. Essential for Army: In order to expand his
this reason many Rajput rulers were Mughal Empire, Akbar needed a big and
responsible. The enmity of Rajput proved powerful army, but due to some adverse
destructive for them and, that is why, circumstances Akbar could not attain
Akbar did not want the same situation to sufficient military power, and that is why,
prevail. This was the main reason why he all of his hopes were dashed to the ground.
decided to establish friendship with the In addition to it, the Mughal soldiers were
Rajput as Dr. Ishwari Prasad says in this also full of vanity and proud and thought
connection: “there could be no Indian that Akbar cannot rule without their help.
Empire without the Rajputs, no social or Such prevailing conditions compelled
Akbar to move towards the Rajput. In
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Rajput army, there were many brave liberty. Those Rajputs who did not accept the
soldiers and, moreover, the Rajputs were friendship with him, Akbar decided to fight with
honest and fulfill their promise and that's them and it was the greatness of Akbar that he
why they Akbar decided that he will make even after defeat of those Rajputs rulers, he
the Rajput as the base of his Kingdom. embraced them and as Dr. Jay Mehta says in this
4. Geographical Position of Rajputana: connection: “Akbar stretched out his hand of
Akbar was very much familiar with the friendship to the Rajputs from the position of
geographical position of Rajputs. Akbar's strength. He adopted a ‘carrot and rod’ policy to
dream of expansion of his Kingdom and to bring them under his subjugation; so to say, he
establish big and powerful Mughal Empire held a flower in one hand and a sword in the
was totally impossible without the help of other.”
the Rajputs. This was also the main reason
why Akbar took a very wise decision in Among the main features of Akbar's
this direction and he made all the Rajputs Rajput policy, the following are worthy of detailed
as his friends. consideration.
5. Desire to become a National Emperor:
There is no doubt in denying the fact that 1. Matrimonial Relations with Rajputs:
Akbar was passionately desirous of getting Akbar did not only want to win the
the title of a powerful ruler in India. Rajputs with war and battle, but he wanted
Keeping this view in his mind, he wanted to win the Rajput from their hearts also. In
to establish a Kingdom which was order to fulfill this purpose, he established
founded by both Hindu and Muslim. matrimonial relationship with the Rajputs
Following this very idea, he wanted to by marrying, Jodha Bai who was the
start a new era in the history of Mughal daughter of a Rajput ruler, Bihari Mal, the
Empire. It was the main reason why by ruler of Amber Jaipur. This marriage
means of Rajputs Akbar decided to win opened new vistas in the direction of his
the majority of Hindus as Dr. A.B. Pande his bond of friendship with Rajputs. It
says in this regards: “Cooperation with the ushered a new era in the history of India,
Rajputs could help him shake off the and Jahangir was the son who born from
foreign nature of his monarchy and this wife of Akbar. As a result of that, he
convert it into a national one, which in got the help and cooperation of Rajputs at
turn could win him popular support and every step after this incident as C.M
strengthen the roots of his dynasty.” Agarwal says this context: This marriage
6. Influence of Family and Teachers: If was a novel and significant event in
Akbar wanted the friendship of the Mediaeval Indian history. It led to a form
Rajputs, then various personal factors alliance between the Mughals and the
were also responsible for that and in these Rajputs and ended the bitterness and
factors the first and the foremost was that started an epoch of harmony and
Akbar's father, Humayun, and grandfather, goodwill.” One more historian, Dr R.P
Babar both belonged to Sunni Muslims Tripathi says marriages between Rajput
culture. Moreover, they were liberal in women and Muslim rulers there had been
their attitude and were away from the earlier, but it is a doubtful if they were
rigidity. These values inculcated in Akbar ever backed up by such a good faith and
the strong desire of having friendship with goodwill as in the present case.”
the Rajputs. 2. High posts to Rajputs: Before Akbar, the
Muslim rulers used to treat Rajputs with
Features of Akbar's Rajput Policy discrimination as they were appointed on
the lower posts in the army and court. But,
Keeping all the above quoted views in his Akbar started a new example in this
consideration, Akbar decided to have friendship direction and he appointed all the Rajputs
with the Rajputs. To fulfil this purpose, he according to their ability and their
established matrimonial relationship with the efficiency on the higher posts. According
Rajputs, and he appointed Rajputs on the highest to Iene- Akbari, during the period of
post in the court. Moreover, they were given due Akbar there were 17 of the mansabdars
respect and due position along with their religious from the Rajput community out of 51.
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3. Religious Freedom: In order to win the 1. Rajputs as the Protectors of the Mughal
hearts of Rajput rulers and Rajput people, Empire: Rajput were among the brave
Akbar give them absolute religious people of India. When Akbar ascended to
freedom as they were free to indulge in thorne, the Rajput rulers considered the
worshipping and to fulfilling all the rites Muslim rulers as their bitter enemy, and
and rituals of religion. He did not destroy they gave them a tough task from
the Hindu temples during his time period. Mahmud Gajnavi to Humayun. Without
As a ruler, II in 1563 the religious defeating the Rajputs, it was not possible
travelling tax was relaxed by Akbar and for Akbar to establish a powerful and
subsequently in 1564 he also abolished strong kingdom. Akbar took a very
Jaziya tax which had a very magical sensible decision by adopting the Rajput
impact on the minds of the Rajputs. policy who were now The protector of
4. Internal Freedom: Akbar also provided Mughal Kingdom. They were ready to
internal freedom to all those who accepted shed the last drop of their blood for the
Akbar as their ruler. Although they were protection of Mughal Empire and, that is
asked to give early tax and also to be why, Mughal Empire was developing and
present in the court once or twice in a year flourishing leaps and bounds as Dr. J.L.
even then they were provided with full Mehta says in this regard: by according a
internal liberty. They were absolute free in friendly treatment to the Rajputs and
following the administrative rules and paying due regard to their sense of honour
rituals in their states. Akbar never did and self-respect, Akbar won over their
interfere in their matters and this policy love and services beyond all
proved very fruitful and helpful for Akbar contemplations. They who once
as a ruler. constituted the sword arm of Hindustan
5. Warfare against the Hostile Rajputs: and stood as bulwark against the Muslim
Although most of the Rajput rulers invaders were ready to act as the ‘pros and
accepted Akbar as their ruler, but there supports’ of the Mughal crown.
were many Rajput rulers who did not 2. Expansion of Mughal Empire: When
accept Akbar’s dominance. Akbar, being a Akbar took charge of his Kingdom, he was
ruler, wanted to keep the whole India not very much popular as a ruler and,
under his control, but this purpose was moreover, the frontiers of his Kingdom
totally incomplete until and unless all the were also limited. If Akbar did not have
Rajput rulers would accept Akbar as their adopt the Rajput policy, then surely the
ruler. That is why, Akbar fought against Mughal Empire would have been set.
such Rajput rulers, and even after their Akbar would have faced a number of
defeat, Akbar treated all of them with difficulties, but by adopting the Rajput
respect and reverence. This policy proved policy, Akbar gave evidence of his
fruitful in winning the support of Rajputs. foresightedness because with the help of
Rajputs, Akbar was able to conquer
Significance of Akbar's Rajput policy number of victories. In 1605, when Akbar
There is no doubt in denying the fact that died his Empire was expanded to a large
the Rajput policy adopted by Akbar had its far extent as Stanley Lanepool says : when
fetching results as it helped him a lot in Akbar ascended the throne he had control
establishing harmony and understanding between only on the territory surrounding Delhi
Akbar and the Rajputs of the time. In fact, the and Agra, but when he died he left the
Rajput becomes the backbone of the Mughal greatest, the most wealthiest and the
Empire at that time as Akbar was ruling smoothly strongest empire in the world. Such a great
and with peace of mind. The kingdom of Akbar achievement of Akbar, was in no small
was on the rise and height of Glory when he got measure, due to the most loyal support and
support and corporation of Rajputs. When wonderful fighting qualities of the
Aurangzeb fought against the Rajputs then the Rajput.”
Rajput give him a befitting reply. The following 3. Beginning of New Era: With the
are the important points regarding the significance friendship between Akbar and Rajputs,
of Rajput policy there started at the dawn of a new era.

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Before Akbar, there used to be bitter Court life had such a demoralising effect
enemity between the Rajputs and Muslims on them that during the regime of lord
which was destructive for India. It also Wellesley, they accepted subsidiary
gave the Rajputs and Muslim an alliance is without a word of protest. In
opportunity to come closer. Rajputs now that sense, submission to the Timurids led
considered Muslim sympathetic towards to a general deterioration of the Rajput as
them. So, we can say that Akbar’s a race.”
adaptation of Rajput policy gave a new
turn as Dr. J.L. Mehta says in this No doubt, the Rajput policy adopted by
connection: The Rajputs identified Akbar proved fruitful and meaningful for Mughal
themselves with Akbar and the men of his Empire as the Rajputs shed the last drop of their
school of thought who stood for national blood for the protection of Akbar as Dr. A.L.
integration and secularism; they adopted Srivastava says in this regards: they contributed
the Muslim idea of social and political freely and richly to the military, political,
organization, and this facilitated national administrative, economic, social, cultural and
integration between Hindus and Muslims. artistic achievements of Akbar's reign. Their
In short, the Rajputs appeared in the new cooperation not only gave security and
role as the pioneers of Indo-Muslim performance to the Mughal rule, but also brought
culture, the greatest legacy of Muslim rule about an unprecedented economic prosperity and
to India. cultural Renaissance in the country.” Acoording to
4. Development of Hindu Muslim Culture: Dr. A.C. Banerjee, Such was the rich dividend
With the establishment of friendship which Akbar derived from his generous treatment
between Rajputs and Akbar, the way for of Rajput princes. Instead of trying to crush them
the development of Hindu Muslim culture as the Sultans of Delhi had done, this great and
was paved as both of them took inspiration far-sighted emperor converted them into strong
from each other. There was unlimited pillars of his Empire.”
development in the field of culture. The
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