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A RESEARCH PAPER ON:

Dr. Ajay Shankar Panday Sayyar Ahmad Dar

Head of the Department M.Phil. Student

Dept. of History Dept. of History

Govt. T.R.S College Govt. T.R.S College

Rewa (M.P.) Rewa (M.P.)

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Abstract

The present study was conducted to analysis The policy of Akbar towards Rajputs

who wanted to strength his empire on the willing cooperation of the Hindu subjects, adopted

a rational approach towards them and the Rajputs in particular. Akbar planned to bring the

Rajputs into main stream of national political life under the Mughal dynasty. Because he was

impressed by the devotional attachment of Amber Rajputs towards him.

Objectives:

The main objectives of the study are:

1. To highlight the role of Akbar towards Rajputs.2. To bring the Rajputs under his subjugation and political unification.3. To highlight the effects of Rajput policy.

Research Methodology:

In this research work all the data is collected by the secondary sources including the

books, magazines, internet and journals, etc.

Introduction:

Akbars Rajput policy was the result of his sharp mind. He broke from the path and

adopted a new policy that his predecessors had never even thought. All the formal Muslim

rulers had used sword against the Rajputs and thus had wasted their power and had invited

dangers to their empire. Akbar didnt want to follow the policy of his predecessors so he

extended hand of friendship towards them. He believed that with the policy of Mughal and

bravery of Rajputs. A vast empire can be established a strong empire in India. It could not be

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done without the support and friendship of Rajputs as they were the military leaders of

Hindus and Muslims. To turn his dream into reality he extended hand of friendship towards.

He wanted to suppress his Muslim enemies , he had to suppress many rebellions in his own

time of his succession to the throne. Even his trusted courtiers and family members had

conspired against him and had tried to declare Mirza Hakeem as the new ruler. He had a very

few family members who could be trusted so he realized the necessity of the friendship of

true , brave and trusted friends only Rajputs fitted in this criterion. He used various kinds of

methods to make them his friends. He established matrimonial alliance or relations with

them. If any one of them acknowledge his lordship during the battle , was forgiven and

embraced. In 1562 he him self had married with the princes of amber. He appointed many at

high posts in his administration without giving any attention to the cast , color , creed , and

religion based on discrimination. In his administration he had 51 Hindu nobles out of which

17 were Rajputs.

Chief features of the Rajput Policy of Akbar

Undoubtedly when Akbar had coined himself of the disloyalty of his relatives and

other Muslim commanders , he tried to win over the Hindu and particularly the Rajputs to his

side. He adapted the following measures to bring them to his own side.

1. Adoption of an aggressive policy towards the offending Rajputs :-

Those Rajputs who had submitted themselves to Akbar , got full respect but those

who did not submit to Akbars aggressive policy, he continuously fought battles against them

for instance he fought battles against the Rajput rulers of Gondwana, Mewar, Rathambor,

Kalinjir and except Mewar he won all the others states, he did not adapt any fanatic policy

against these states. Akbar was a despotic ruler so he could never tolerate opposition of any

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type and from any side. He never tolerated opposition either from the Muslim or from the

Hindus.

2 . Matrimonial Alliance :-

Akbar not only developed friendship with the Rajputs , he made them his relatives

also. In 1562 A D. He married the daughter of Beharimal, the king of Amber (Jaipur) Salim

was born for the queen . this prince salim, who later on was known as jahangir has succecded

to Akbars throne .Again married the Rajput princes of Bikaner and Jaisalmer. These

matrimonial relations helped Akbar to win over the loyalty of a large number of Rajputs. He

himself came under the Hindu influence because of these matrimonial alliances .

3. Full respect and honour to the defeated or Hindu rulers :-

Akbar had adopted hard and tough attitude only towards those Rajput and Hindu

rulers who had not submitted to him. He fought constantly against them and continued

pressing them till his opponents were won over or they had submitted themselves on him.

Once they had accepted rule of Akbar , they were given full respect and honour and as such

they became loyal to him forever.

4. Equal treatment :-

Ala-ud- Din khaliji. Feroz Shah Tughluq and some other Muslim rulers had never

treated the Hindus and the Rajputs at par with the Muslims. They had reduced the Hindus to

mere wood cutters and drawers of water. Akbar for the first time in the Muslim history

provided the Hindus equal status with those of the Muslim. Thus they became his most trust-

worthy friends.

5. High Position :-

Keeping in view the individual virtue of the Hindus and the Rajputs, he appointed

them on high posts. Raja Bihari Mal and his son Baghwan Das were given esteemed position.

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Raja Man Singh, Raja Todar Mal and Birbal were also given position of high status.

Approximately half of the soldiers and generals of Akbar were Hindus.

6. Religious Toleration:-

Akbar had provided full religious freedom to all the Hindus. There was no

interference of any kind in their religious affairs. They had full freedom to worship their God

and Goddess they could get their temple built at any place of their own choice and could get

old temples repaired. They had full freedom to celebrate their festivals. In order to please

them Akbar had also banned the slaughtering of animals on certain special days.

7. End of Jazia and Pilgrimage Tax :-

It became difficult for Akbar to other to tolerate that some section of the people

should be taxed since they faith in Hinduism or any other religion than Islam. So in 1563

A.D. He scrapped the taxes already laid on the pilgrims when they visited their places of

worship. And next year in 1564 ,he also stopped charging Jazia or religious tax from the

Hindus. Similarly he put an end to all types of other unjust taxes.

Effects or results of this policy

1. The Hindus and particularly the Rajputs , who had always opposite the Islamic regimeabandoned the policy opposing the Mughal rulers.

2. Akbar was successful in procuring the loyalty of the Rajputs. These Rajputs instead oftheir opposition to his rule helped Akbar in the expansion of his empire. They became

loyal ready followers of the Mughal empire Akbar, because of his policy succeeded in

suppressing the different revolts and to establish peace and order in the country.

3. The Rajputs helped Akbar a lot in getting victories in the battle field, and thusexpanded his empire. The Rajputs had become sword and shield of the Mughal

empires.

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4. In short , Akbar succeeded in providing sound foundation to his empire due to hisRajput policy.

5. The mixing up of the Rajputs and Muslims also had healthy cultural effect. Freemixing of the Hindus or the Rajputs and the Muslims made possible the fusion of the

Hindus and the Muslim cultures. There by leading to the development of the Indian

culture.

Conclusion:

To conclude it may be realized that the Rajput policy of Akbar was quite successful.

The hostility of the Rajputs was given up , which resulted a cordial affinity between Mughals

and Rajputs. Akbar brought the political unification of the country , their participation

imparted strength to the imperial forces which became famous throughout Asia and outside.

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2. Khanna Meenaksh Cultural History of Medieval India, Publisher Orient Longman,Edition 2007.

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Agra-2, Edition 2002.

5. Chandra Satish ,History of Medieval India Part II from 1526-1748 , Publisher Har-Annad Publications Pvt Ltd, Edition 2009.

6. Rizvi , S.A.A. , Religious and Intellectual History of Muslims in Akbars Reign,Publisher Delhi, Edition 1975.

7. Chopra J.K. , Indian History Publication Amarjeet S. Chopra Unique Publishers ,Edition 2011.

8. Ibn Hasan , The Central Structure of Mughal Empire , Publisher Delhi, Edition 1970.9. Ala Abu, History of Medieval India Publication Mamta Book Depot, Edition 2008.10.www.wikipedia.net.com, www.dogpile.com.