Mughal-Rajput Wars

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Mughal-Rajput Wars
Date1526–1750
Location
Modern day Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar
Result
  • Expansion of Mughal influence in Northern India after Khanwa.
  • Many Rajput nobles join the Mughal court during Akbars reign and gain influence in Mughal politics.
  • Major rebellions during Bahadur Shahs reign. After his death, Rajputs have a stream of success and regain their independence.
Belligerents
Mughal Empire Rajput Confederation
Commanders and leaders
Babur
Akbar
Jahangir
Aurangzeb
Bahadur Shah I
Farrukhsiyar		 Rana Sanga
Medini Rai
Prithviraj Singh I
Maldeo Rathore
Udai Singh II
Pratap Singh I
Chandrasen Rathore
Amar Singh I
Durgadas Rathore
Raj Singh I
Raja Ajit Singh
Jai Singh

The Mughal-Rajput Wars were a series of battles fought between the Rajput Confederacy and the Mughal Empire which started with the Timurid ruler Babur's invasion of northwestern India and the head of the Rajput confederacy Rana Sanga's resistance to it. In the year 1526, he invaded Hindustan, Babur was given stiff resistance by Rana Sanga however Babur defeated the Rana in the Battle of Khanwa in 1527. The wars were however continued by the descendants of both Rana Sanga and Babur. Babur's grandson Akbar faced heavy resistance by Rana Udai Singh II and Rana Pratap, Jahangir was opposed by Rana Amar Singh.[1] Similarly Aurangzeb was opposed by Rana Raj Singh and his son Rana Jai Singh.[2]

Chandrasen Rathore defended his kingdom for nearly two decades against relentless attacks from the Mughal Empire. Mughals were not able to establish their direct rule in Marwar until Chandrasen was alive.[3]

In 1679, State of Mewar and Marwar rebelled against Aurangzeb. While a peace treaty was signed with Mewar after a year, war with Marwar went on till the death of Aurangzeb and concluded in capture of Marwar by Rathore forces after Aurangzeb's death.

During the Rajput rebellion of 1708–10, the Mughals were forced to accept a humiliating peace treaty with the Rajput Rajas.[4] Rajputs forced Mughals to make them governors of Malwa, Sindh and Gujarat.

Durgadas Rathore fought the Mughals for 25 years, until Ajit Singh was made the Raja of Marwar[5] who became so influential in Mughal politics that he challenged the Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar by making an alliance with the Sayyid brothers. On 28 February 1719 Farrukhsiyar was deposed by Sayyid Brothers.[6]

The Mughals tried to collect taxes in Rajputana during late 18th century however they were met with resistance in every town and village leading to invasions by the Mughal generals. The most powerful Mughal generals had been reduced to the state of beggary after their campaigns in Rajputana during 1750s. Salabat Khan had spent 60 lakhs against the Rajputs but could only extort 5 lakhs. Similarly Zulfiqar Jang who had a strong political presence and troops had ruined himself from the Rajput expedition. These campaigns ruined the Mughal Empire financially and caused arrears and the disbanding of large amounts of troops. The Mughal capital itself was affected, leaving only a few retainers to guard the palace and man the artillery.[7]

Battles[]

  • Siege of Bikaner

Rao Jaitsi of Bikaner successfully defended his capital and defeated a Mughal army under Kamran, brother of Mughal emperor Humayun.[8]

Rana Sanga led Rajput army sieged the fortress of Bayana held by Nizam Khan in Feb 1527. Babur sent detachment under Chin Timur Khan to relieve the fortress, the mughal contingent was defeated outside the walls of Bayana and the fort of Bayana surrendered to Rana Sanga.[9]

Rajput Confederacy under Rana Sanga was defeated by Babur in 1527. This was the largest battle ever happened between Mughals and Rajputs involving a total of more than 150,000 soldiers.[10]

Babur besieged and captured Chanderi Fort in Malwa and it's ruler Medini Rai was defeated and killed.

Akbar led Mughal army besieged the famed Chittorgarh fort in 1567, which was then under command of Jaimal Rathore and Patta Singh Sisodia, commanders of Udai Singh. The siege went on for 4 months and finally after the death of Jaimal, the fortress walls breached, that ensued Mughals emerged victorious.[11]

Rao Surjan Hada had to surrender Ranthambore Fort to Akbar after later successfully put the fort under siege.

Mughal army under the command of Man Singh defeated Maharana Pratap's Mewari army in the field of Haldighati in 1576 and conquered whole of Mewar.[12]

  • Battle of Dewair

The first battle of Dewair took place in 1582 between armies of Maharana Pratap and Mughal Garrison of dewair. Pratap's army defeated Mughal army in this battle.

Maharana Amar Singh defeated Mughal army led by Prince Parviz and Asaf Khan III in 1606.

  • Rajput Rebellion 1708-1710
    • July 1708 - Jai Singh and Ajit Singh storm Amber and Jodhpur and retake their capitals from the Mughal garrisons.[13]
    • October 1708 - Sayyid Hussain Barha of Mewat and Churaman Jat defeated near Sambhar by the Rathor-Kachwaha army. Barha shot dead with his two brothers.[13]
    • January 1710 - Mir Khan of Narnaul with 7000 Mughal troops and Churaman Jat with 6000 Jats effectively checked by Gaj Singh Naruka at Javli.[13]
    • 24th March 1710 - Muhammad Khan of Tonk defeated by the Rathor-Kachwaha army.[13]

The Shekhawati Rajputs defeated a Mughal force under Mitrasen Ahir, Peero Khan and Kale Khan. After heavy losses Peero Khan died and Mitra Sen fled.[14]

Devi Singh Shekhawat defeated the imperial army under Murtaza Khan Bhadech.[14]

References[]

  1. ^ Pant 2012, p. 129.
  2. ^ Sen, Sailendra (2013). A Textbook of Medieval Indian History. Primus Books. p. 183. ISBN 978-9-38060-734-4.
  3. ^ Bose, Melia Belli (2015). Royal Umbrellas of Stone: Memory, Politics, and Public Identity in Rajput Funerary Art. BRILL. p. 150. ISBN 978-9-00430-056-9.
  4. ^ The Cambridge History of India, Volume 3 pg 322
  5. ^ Dodwell, Henry Herbert (1928). The Cambridge History of India. pp. 248–252, 281. Retrieved 2011-09-15.
  6. ^ Irvine pg. 390
  7. ^ Fall Of The Mughal Empire - Vol. I (4th ed.), volume 1, pp. 216 & 223.
  8. ^ Hooja, Rima (2006). A History of Rajasthan. Rupa and company. p. 541.
  9. ^ Chandra, Satish (2005). Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals Part - II. Har-Anand Publications. p. 33. ISBN 978-81-241-1066-9.
  10. ^ Barua, Pradeep (2005). The State at War in South Asia. University of Nebraska Press. p. 34. ISBN 978-0-8032-1344-9.
  11. ^ Chandra, Satish (2005). Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals Part - II. Har-Anand Publications. pp. 107–108. ISBN 978-81-241-1066-9.
  12. ^ Singh, Kesri (2002). Maharana Pratap: The Hero of Haldighati. Books Treasure. pp. 18–35.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Sarkar, Jadunath (1994). A History of Jaipur: C. 1503-1938. Orient Blackswan. p. 162.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b Hooja, Rima (2006). A History of Rajasthan. Rupa and company. p. 694. in a pitched battle at Mandan, both sides suffered heavily. Peero Khan died and Mitra Sen fled the field, leaving the Shekhawat chiefs victorious.
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