Mughal Relations with Other Rulers


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Mughal Relations with Other Rulers

Mughal Relations with Other Rulers:

 It was a policy of Mughal rulers campaigned constantly against rulers who refused to accept their authority. But as the Mughals became powerful many other rulers also joined them voluntarily. The rajputs are a good example of this. Many of them married their daughters into Mughal families and received high positions. But at the same time , many resisted the Mughals. The sisodiya rajputs refused to accept Mughal authority for a long time. Once defeated, however, they were honorably treated by the Mughals, given their lands back as assignments.Watan back as a assignments,Le Watan Jagir .Thus Mughals never humiliated their opponents even defeated them.

The careful balance between defeating but not humiliating their opponents enabled the mughals to extend their influence over many kings and chieftains.

The main reasons Mughal maintain a good relationship with Rajputs because:

  • In the initial period, the Mughals had a tolerant policy towards the Rajputs.
  • Before Akbar, Humayun had entered into matrimonial relations in order “soothe the minds of the zamindars” (Abul Fazl).
  • Humayun advised Akbar to maintain good relations to get service and obedience from the Rajputs and that they cannot be reared with transgression.
  • After the coronation, Akbar also entered into matrimonial relations with the Rajputs. Matrimonial relations both marked a bond and submission.
  • Rajput Policy is another reason of relation with Mughal's.

    Babur and Humayun had strained relations with the Rajputs. It was only Akbar who rightly perceived that the Rajputs were a very brave and courageous people who could not be easily crushed by warfare. He therefore set himself to the task of winning over the Rajputs. He entered into a scheme of matrimonial alliances with the Rajputs. He started giving high positions to the Rajputs in Mughal service and treated them on par with the Mughal nobility.

    He granted freedom of worship and conscience to the Rajputs. Those who allied themselves to Akbar were largely left in charge of their kingdoms. Where conciliation failed he resorted to warfare. His policy of 'carrot and stick' won over the Rajputs and they became a part and parcel of the Mughal empire.

    Jahangir continued the Rajput policy of his father. In the reign of Shah Jahan also the Rajputs continued to serve the empire though they did not have the prominent position which they enjoyed at the time of Akbar. Aurangzeb negated the earlier policy and thereby undid the work of Akbar. He turned valuable friends into dangerous foes.

    Second, the areas towards the north and south of Rajputana were fertile, and potentially a source of substantial revenue. This area was criss-crossed by important trade routes running between Gujarat and the north Indian plain.

    Finally, Rajputana also contained a number of formidable forts, legendary for their capacity to withstand sieges, such as Chittor and Ranthambhor.

     
     


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