The Rajput kingdoms under the Mughal Empire played a crucial role in the consolidation and expansion of Mughal rule across India, especially during the reigns of Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan. These Rajput rulers, known for their martial traditions, formed strategic alliances with the Mughals through diplomacy, marriage, and military service. In return, they maintained a degree of autonomy while contributing to the administration and military campaigns of the empire. Understanding the relationship between the Mughals and Rajput kingdoms is essential for students preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination and other competitive exams.

In this detailed blog, we will cover the 50 most prominent Rajput kingdoms under Mughal rule, focusing on their significance, key rulers, and relationships with the Mughal Empire.

1. Amber (Jaipur)

• Key Rulers: Raja Man Singh I, Sawai Jai Singh II
• Significance: Amber was among the first Rajput states to form an alliance with Akbar. Raja Man Singh I became one of Akbar’s most trusted generals and played a pivotal role in expanding Mughal influence in the Deccan and Bengal.

2. Mewar (Chittor/Udaipur)

• Key Rulers: Maharana Amar Singh, Maharana Jagat Singh
• Significance: Mewar, under Maharana Pratap, resisted Akbar fiercely but later made peace with Jahangir under Amar Singh’s leadership. This was one of the last major Rajput kingdoms to accept Mughal supremacy.

3. Marwar (Jodhpur)

• Key Rulers: Rao Maldeo, Raja Udai Singh, Maharaja Jaswant Singh
• Significance: Marwar had a turbulent relationship with the Mughals. Jaswant Singh served in the Mughal army under Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb, playing key roles in Mughal campaigns.

4. Bikaner

• Key Rulers: Raja Kalyanmal, Raja Rai Singh
• Significance: Bikaner formed an early alliance with Akbar. Raja Rai Singh, a key Mughal commander, helped consolidate Mughal authority in Gujarat and the Deccan.

5. Bundi

• Key Rulers: Rao Surjan Singh, Rao Bhao Singh
• Significance: Bundi’s rulers were prominent Mughal generals. Rao Surjan Singh surrendered Ranthambore Fort to Akbar, marking the beginning of Bundi’s long-standing relationship with the Mughals.

6. Jaisalmer

• Key Rulers: Raja Bhati Rawal Lunakaran, Raja Amar Singh
• Significance: Jaisalmer maintained a strategic alliance with the Mughals and participated in campaigns in Afghanistan and Baluchistan.

7. Kota

• Key Rulers: Rao Madho Singh, Rao Ratan Singh
• Significance: Kota, initially part of Bundi, later became a separate kingdom and was a loyal Mughal ally, with its rulers serving in various Mughal military campaigns.

8. Banswara

• Key Rulers: Maharawal Udai Singh
• Significance: Banswara maintained diplomatic ties with the Mughals and served in both the military and administrative functions of the Mughal Empire.

9. Dungarpur

• Key Rulers: Maharawal Punja Bhil
• Significance: Dungarpur aligned with the Mughal Empire and contributed forces for campaigns in northern India.

10. Kishangarh

• Key Rulers: Raja Sawai Singh
• Significance: Kishangarh’s rulers were involved in Mughal administration and served as trusted generals in the Mughal army.

11. Alwar

• Key Rulers: Rao Pratap Singh
• Significance: Alwar maintained relations with the Mughals, contributing military support during times of conflict.

12. Gwalior

• Key Rulers: Raja Ram Shah Tomar
• Significance: Gwalior became part of the Mughal Empire after Babur’s conquest. Its rulers were prominent military commanders in Mughal campaigns.

13. Orchha

• Key Rulers: Raja Rudra Pratap Singh, Raja Bir Singh Deo
• Significance: Orchha’s rulers, especially Bir Singh Deo, were close allies of Jahangir and played a significant role in Mughal politics and military campaigns.

14. Pali

• Key Rulers: Rao Chandrasen Rathore
• Significance: Pali came under Mughal influence during Akbar’s reign and contributed forces to the Mughal army.

15. Chanderi

• Key Rulers: Medini Rai
• Significance: Chanderi was annexed into the Mughal Empire after Babur’s conquest in 1528, becoming a strategic Mughal stronghold in central India.

16. Merta

• Key Rulers: Rao Jaimal Rathore
• Significance: Merta, a significant Rajput state, fought against Akbar but was later absorbed into the Mughal Empire.

17. Sirohi

• Key Rulers: Rao Surtan Singh
• Significance: Sirohi aligned with Akbar and provided military assistance to the Mughals during various campaigns.

18. Jalore

• Key Rulers: Kanha Dev Songara
• Significance: Jalore came under Mughal control after a series of battles, contributing soldiers to Mughal military expeditions.

19. Tonk

• Key Rulers: Nawab Muhammad Amir Khan
• Significance: Tonk established a formal relationship with the Mughals and its rulers were involved in the empire’s military operations.

20. Badaun

• Key Rulers: Raja Lakhan Sen
• Significance: Badaun was a key administrative center during the Mughal era and its rulers served as important officials under the Mughal administration.

21. Nagaur

• Key Rulers: Raja Mokha Singh
• Significance: Nagaur was integrated into the Mughal Empire and served as a strategic military outpost in Rajasthan.

22. Chatsu

• Key Rulers: Rao Durjan Sal
• Significance: Chatsu’s rulers supported Mughal military campaigns and contributed soldiers for the Mughal army.

23. Gohad

• Key Rulers: Raja Bhagwant Singh
• Significance: Gohad was aligned with the Mughals and its rulers played an important role in Mughal campaigns in northern India.

24. Bhindar

• Key Rulers: Rawat Jai Singh
• Significance: Bhindar, a small Rajput kingdom in Mewar, served the Mughal Empire and contributed forces to Mughal military expeditions.

25. Shahpura

• Key Rulers: Raja Sujan Singh
• Significance: Shahpura aligned with the Mughals, serving in both administrative and military roles under Aurangzeb’s reign.

26. Barmer

• Key Rulers: Rawal Lunakaran
• Significance: Barmer’s rulers supported Mughal campaigns, particularly in Gujarat and northern India.

27. Dholpur

• Key Rulers: Raja Bhim Singh
• Significance: Dholpur became part of the Mughal administration and its rulers contributed forces to the Mughal military.

28. Rewa

• Key Rulers: Raja Ramachandra Singh
• Significance: Rewa’s rulers were allied with the Mughals and played a role in campaigns under Akbar and Jahangir.

29. Jalor

• Key Rulers: Rao Kanhadeva
• Significance: Jalor contributed forces to Mughal campaigns in Gujarat and Rajasthan, aligning itself with Akbar’s rule.

30. Patan

• Key Rulers: Raja Punyapala
• Significance: Patan allied with the Mughal Empire and its rulers participated in key campaigns.

31. Aligarh (Kol)

• Key Rulers: Raja Bahadur Singh
• Significance: Aligarh provided military support during Mughal campaigns and served in the empire’s administrative network.

32. Sitamau

• Key Rulers: Rao Ratan Singh
• Significance: Sitamau served the Mughal Empire during Akbar’s reign and provided soldiers for military campaigns.

33. Datia

• Key Rulers: Rao Bhagwan Rao
• Significance: Datia’s rulers maintained close relations with the Mughal administration and provided military support.

34. Barwani

• Key Rulers: Rawat Umed Singh
• Significance: Barwani aligned with the Mughals during Akbar’s reign and its rulers played a role in central Indian campaigns.

35. Raisen

• Key Rulers: Raja Puranmal
• Significance: Raisen was integrated into the Mughal Empire after conflict with Humayun and played an administrative role in central India.

36. Ajmer

• Key Rulers: Various Rajas
• Significance: Ajmer was a key center for Mughal administration in Rajasthan, especially under Akbar’s reign.

37. Shekhawati

• Key Rulers: Rao Suja, Rao Shekha
• Significance: The Shekhawati Rajputs became Mughal allies, contributing forces to campaigns across northern India.

38. Sirohi

• Key Rulers: Rao Madho Singh
• Significance: Sirohi supported the Mughals during military campaigns, maintaining close ties with the empire.

39. Gonda

• Key Rulers: Raja Amrit Rai
• Significance: Gonda was a minor Rajput state that contributed military forces during Mughal campaigns in northern India.

40. Rajgarh

• Key Rulers: Raja Devi Singh
• Significance: Rajgarh’s rulers maintained military and diplomatic relations with the Mughals, supporting Mughal expansion.

41. Dungarpur

• Key Rulers: Maharawal Udai Singh
• Significance: Dungarpur aligned with the Mughal Empire and provided military support during campaigns.

42. Jhalawar

• Key Rulers: Maharaj Rana Zalim Singh
• Significance: Jhalawar maintained ties with the Mughals, supporting the empire’s military efforts.

43. Gohad

• Key Rulers: Raja Bhim Singh
• Significance: Gohad’s rulers played a significant role in Mughal campaigns, aligning with the Mughal Empire.

44. Tonk

• Key Rulers: Nawab Muhammad Amir Khan
• Significance: Tonk’s rulers supported the Mughal administration and contributed forces to military campaigns.

45. Rampur

• Key Rulers: Nawab Faizullah Khan
• Significance: Rampur aligned with the Mughal Empire and served as a significant military ally during Aurangzeb’s reign.

46. Bhainsrorgarh

• Key Rulers: Thakur Bhavani Singh
• Significance: Bhainsrorgarh contributed soldiers to Mughal military expeditions, supporting the empire’s campaigns.

47. Zamindari of Kota

• Key Rulers: Rao Surjan Singh
• Significance: Kota was a vassal state under the Mughals, providing forces for campaigns during Shah Jahan’s reign.

48. Dhar

• Key Rulers: Raja Udai Singh
• Significance: Dhar played an important role as a Mughal ally in central India, particularly under Akbar’s reign.

49. Rampura

• Key Rulers: Raja Prithvi Singh
• Significance: Rampura supported Mughal campaigns in Gujarat and Rajasthan, aligning itself with Akbar’s rule.

50. Jhalrapatan

• Key Rulers: Raja Jalim Singh
• Significance: Jhalrapatan provided military and diplomatic support to the Mughal Empire, especially during Akbar’s reign.

Conclusion: Importance for UPSC Aspirants

Understanding the relationships between Rajput kingdoms and the Mughal Empire is critical for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. The strategic alliances between these powerful Rajput states and the Mughals helped shape the political and military landscape of medieval India. These Rajput rulers not only maintained their autonomy in many cases but also became integral to the functioning of the Mughal administration and military.

By studying the role of these 50 Rajput kingdoms, aspirants can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of Mughal-Rajput relations, the impact of military alliances, and the broader context of medieval Indian history.