Q. Examine the development of relations with the Rajput chieftains under Aurangzeb (original) (raw)

Ans. Aurangzeb, regarded as the last of the Great Mughals, ruled from 1658-1707. During his reign, the Mughal Empire reached its territorial climax. However, it also began to show signs of decline and disruption. Aurangzeb's policy towards the Rajputs has been clouded by immense controversy. The Mughal alliance with the Rajput chieftains, a key factor in the expansion and consolidation of the Mughal Empire under Akbar, is said to have been breached under Aurangzeb, leading to the weakening and subsequent disintegration of the empire. However, as has been shown in recent works, this is a simplistic approach and needs to be further examined. It has traditionally been understood that the Mughal attitude towards the Rajput chieftains was governed by the personal religious outlook of the individual rulers. Thus, it has been argued that the religious orthodoxy of Aurangzeb and his desire to establish a truly Muslim state was the reason of his breach with the Rajputs, just as Akbar's religious liberalism was the motive force of his Rajput policy. But Mughal-Rajput relations should instead be seen in the deeper political, economic and geo-strategic context. The Rajputana region, flanking the Gangetic Valley, is characterized by a rocky terrain, inhospitable climate and infertile land. Yet it was always considered important by the Mughals for strategic and political reasons. The region formed a crucial link between the Gangetic Valley and the rich and flourishing sea ports on the west coast of India on one hand, and with the prosperous tract of Malwa in Central India on the other, which was important for trade and also access to both Gujarat and the Deccan region. Akbar, who ruled from 1556-1605, was the first Mughal to recognize the importance of alliance with the Rajputs. He initiated policies to conciliate the Rajput chieftains and integrate them into the Mughal state through the mansabdari system. Accordingly, the Rajputs were given a personal rank (zat) and asked to maintain a specified number of troops (sawar) that could be placed in the service of the Emperor. In lieu of salary, the Mughals frequently granted the mansabdar a territorial grant (jagir), which in the case of the Rajputs was generally their watan (home territory). Akbar also sought to guarantee the allegiance of the Rajput rulers through matrimonial alliances with them. At the same time, by acknowledging the authority of the rajas in the internal affairs of their kingdoms and their positions as heads of the clans, he was able to turn their hostility into support. For all practical purposes, thus, the states were independent. However, the Mughals had one important right – over matters of succession. On the death of a raja, the territory was, in theory, supposed to devolve to not his heir, but the Mughal Emperor, who then had the right to choose the successor. In practice, however, the state was generally returned to the nominated heir. A sanad was presented to the new ruler, and tika marked on his forehead by the Emperor's delegate, legitimizing his ascent to the throne (gaddi). Frequently a Rajput raja would avoid a succession dispute among his sons by having his heir designate formally recognized by the Mughal Emperor. Over time, a symbiotic relationship developed. The rajas gained an opportunity to increase personal power by imperial appointment. In return, they acknowledged the suzerainty of the Emperor and provided large military forces and leadership to the Mughals in their campaigns. Thus the Rajputs