Rajput Policy of Akbar and its impact.
Aim and objectives of Akbar’s Rajput Policy.
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Rajput Policy of Akbar:-
From the battle of Khanua in 1527 to the defeat in the battle of Talikota in 1565 AD, the power and authority of the Rajputs was not declined in any way. Their prestige as rulers in North India was still intact. Among the Muslim rulers, Akbar was the first to realize the importance of the Rajputs as a military force and tried to include the North India and Rajputana region in the Mughal Empire by appointing them in the Mughal administration.
Reasons for adopting the Rajput policy by Akbar:-
There were some special reasons for adopting a special policy towards the Rajputs.
Firstly: - The opposition of the Rajput community, which was superior in military terms, to the Mughals would not have been good for the Mughal Empire.
Secondly: - The power of the old aristocracy in the Mughal court was increasing and it was necessary for the emperor to control it.
Thirdly: - Many of the Mughal generals and soldiers were selfish and greedy. Whenever they got the opportunity, they would join the rebellion against the emperor. In this situation, Akbar needed the cooperation of a warrior community like the Rajputs.
Fourthly: - The help of the Rajputs was absolutely essential for the expansion of the Mughal empire and to maintain its stability.
Two main practical aspects of Rajput policy: -
In the practical aspects of Akbar's Rajput policy, two trends can be observed -
(A) The policy of alliance - (a) The policy of marital relations and (b) The appointment of Rajputs to high positions.
(B) The policy of conflict.
(A) (a) Marital Policy:- To strengthen the foundation of the Mughal Empire, Akbar married several women from Rajput families.
(i) He married the daughter of Amberraj Biharimal.
(ii) In 1584 AD, he married his son Salim to the daughter of Bhagwan Das of Jaipur.
(iii) In 1570 AD, he married the princess of Bikani.
As a result of this marriage policy of Akbar, the Mughal Empire was established on a solid foundation. All kinds of conflicts between the Mughals and the Rajput families with whom Akbar entered into marital alliances came to an end. Regarding Akbar's marital policy, Dr. Beniprasad says - '' It symbolised the dawn of a new era in Indian politics.
(b) Policy of appointing Rajputs to high posts: - Apart from the policy of marital alliance, the policy of appointing Rajputs to high posts shows Akbar's diplomatic foresight. He appointed many Rajput princes and nobles to various high posts in the Mughal administration. For example, Biharimal and his son Bhagwan Das and Bhagwan Das's adopted son Mansingh - Akbar gave all of them high posts in his administration. He also appointed Raja Todarmal as the Revenue Secretary. He appointed another Rajput, Birbal, as his constant companion.
(B) Policy of confrontation: - But Akbar followed a policy of confrontation against those princes who did not agree to accept Akbar's submission.
(i) Chittor was the main obstacle in the path of conquest of Gujarat. The capture of Chittor was necessary to secure the communication system between Delhi and Ahmedabad. So Akbar attacked Chittor in 1567 AD. In 1568 Chittor was captured by the Mughal army.
(ii) In 1569 AD, Akbar captured Ranthambore.
(iii) Then the Mughal expedition was sent against Kalinjar.
(iv) In 1576 AD, Akbar defeated Rana Pratap in the Battle of Haldighat and occupied Mewar.
( C ) Providing special privileges to Rajputs i.e. Hindus in other areas:-
Apart from the policy of marital alliance, the policy of appointing Rajputs to high posts and the policy of conflict, Akbar also provided special privileges to Rajputs i.e. Hindus in various ways and made them loyal allies of the Mughal dynasty.
(i) In 1564 AD, Akbar withdrew the Jizya tax imposed on Hindus.
(ii) Before that, in 1563 AD, he removed the pilgrimage tax from Hindus.
(iii) He opened all the high posts of the Mughal administration to Hindus.
(iv) He appointed Brahmin judges for Hindus.
(v) In order to establish cultural harmony between Hindu and Muslim communities, he set up a translation department and arranged for the translation of Hindu books into Persian.
(vi) No Rajput would be obliged to send his daughter to the Mughal harem.
Results of Akbar's Rajput policy:-
1. The Mughal-Rajput conflict ended and political stability was established.
2. With the help of Rajputs, Akbar was able to control all foreign nobles and royalty.
3. As a result of establishing alliances with Rajputs, the Mughal military was strengthened.
4. Hindu-Muslim unity was established in India.
5. A new era of cultural excellence began with Hindu-Muslim harmony.
6. Not only did Akbar expand the empire, but with the help of Rajputs, Akbar was also able to run the Mughal administration effectively.
7. Many Rajput princes attained high positions in the Mughal administration due to Akbar's generosity.
8. The success of Akbar's Rajput policy is proven by the fact that later, when Aurangzeb abandoned the policy of Rajput friendship, the Mughal Empire came close to collapse.
9. As a result of the success of Rajput policy, Akbar was able to adopt a new liberal policy in the field of religion.
10. Akbar established a great ideal of monarchy for the subsequent kings and Akbar was accepted as the emperor of Hindustan.
Finally, it can be said that Akbar's Rajput policy shows his diplomatic skills and political foresight. As a result of his political skills, he established the Mughal Empire on a solid foundation. He turned a struggling nation like the Rajputs into loyal allies of the Mughal dynasty. As a result, Akbar was able to build a strong administration in all areas of politics, society, culture and economy with the Rajputs.
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