Akbar implemented a far-sighted Rajput policy to gain their loyalty and support. He treated them equally, established marriages alliances with Rajput rulers, and gave high positions to Rajputs like Man Singh based on merit rather than religion. While using force against resisters, he respected Rajput customs. This policy ended wars in Rajasthan, strengthened the Mughal Empire with Rajput military aid, and fostered cultural exchange. As a result, most Rajputs remained loyal to the Mughals and their ego was pacified through prestige and positions.
Akbar implemented a far-sighted Rajput policy to gain their loyalty and support. He treated them equally, established marriages alliances with Rajput rulers, and gave high positions to Rajputs like Man Singh based on merit rather than religion. While using force against resisters, he respected Rajput customs. This policy ended wars in Rajasthan, strengthened the Mughal Empire with Rajput military aid, and fostered cultural exchange. As a result, most Rajputs remained loyal to the Mughals and their ego was pacified through prestige and positions.
Akbar implemented a far-sighted Rajput policy to gain their loyalty and support. He treated them equally, established marriages alliances with Rajput rulers, and gave high positions to Rajputs like Man Singh based on merit rather than religion. While using force against resisters, he respected Rajput customs. This policy ended wars in Rajasthan, strengthened the Mughal Empire with Rajput military aid, and fostered cultural exchange. As a result, most Rajputs remained loyal to the Mughals and their ego was pacified through prestige and positions.
When Akbar noticed that the Rajputs were brave, devoted, loyal and self-sacrificing to protect their honour and besides their qualities they possessed the feelings of friendship, he got devotee or praiser of their virtues. He seated them on key posts, established wedding relations with them, and never strove to hurt their religious feelings. The following are the chief traits of Akbar’s religious policies : (i) Uniform treatement : Akbar was the first Muslim ruler who understood the Rajput’s feelings. He could assess that the Rajputs would not hesitate in laying down their lives to save their honour. So he gave them proper positions at first through his feelings of co- existence. They too were at liberty to adhere to their religious performances and religious policies. (ii) Wedding relation with the Rajputs : Akbar established matrimonial alliances with the Rajputs. He married the princesses of Bikaner, Marwar and Jaisalmer. They were at liberty to follow their religions. The dais for planting of Tulsi can still be seen in Jodhabai’s palace. He had never hurt the feelings of the Rajputs while making treaties with them. Key posts were given to the relatives of the queens. (iii) Positions according to qualifications : While evaluating eligibility Akbar never had a prejudice for the Muslims or against the Hindus. He assigned key posts to Raja Bharmal, Bhagwan Dass, Man Singh and Birbal, etc. in commensuration with their abilities and qualities. His reliable soldiers and commanders were the Hindus. The top mansab of 7,000 was given to Raja Man Singh. (iv) Use of force : When some Rajput rulers kicked Akbar’s proposal of friendship he took resort to using force and defeated the Rajput rulers but never hit their feelings. When the rulers of Amber, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer accepted his suzerainty they were given due honour. Maharana Pratap and Udai Singh of Mewar never bowed their heads before Akbar. They kept wandering in the forests life long and opposed the Akbar. (v) Tolerance towards the Hindus : The Hindus were at liberty to celebrate their festivals. They could got new temples constructed and the old ones repaired. He got the pilgrim tax and the Jizya exempted which levied on the Hindus. This impressed the Rajputs too. II. Results of Akbar’s Rajput policy. (i) Rajputs were loyal to Mughals : Akbar having been pleased with Rajputs loyalty, gave them key posts in the military. This strengthened the roots of Mughal Empire on the one hand and extracted the feelings of hatred and animously from the hearts of the Rajputs against foreign rules in due course of time on the other hand since they had acquired due honour. (ii) Helpful in the expansion of Mughal Empire : Akbar captured Kabul, Qandhar and the remote southern regions of India with the Rajput’s help. Now the army was so powerful as to meet any foreign challenge. (iii)Round of wars in Rajasthan ended : Now the possibility of confrontation between the Mughals and the Rajputs was hushed up. There was peace and orderliness all over which made the people’s life secure and they engaged themselves in developing trade and efficiency in practising many arts. (iv) Pacification of Rajput’s ego : The Rajputs were fighting and sacrificing their lives only for the sake of pseudo prestige. The breach between them had widened but Akbar’s Rajput policy bridged the gulf and the Rajputs could seek prestige, wealth and position. Man Singh got Mansab of 7,000. Many high military and civil posts were given to Rajputs. Thus the ego of the Rajputs was pacified. (v) Admixture of literature and art : A healthy admixture of the art and literature and architecture reflected itself due to the amity between the Mughals and the Rajputs. The Panch Mahal at Fatehpur Sikri is a fine model of the same.