Emergence of New States: Rajputs, Sikhs and Jats

Introduction

At the time of the Mughal Rule the rulers always kept in check the administration of the provincial governors. However, during the later Mughals the central authority became weak and emperors lost control over the governors. Subsequently, the provincial governors freed themselves from the central authority and established their independence. They did accept the sovereignty of the central state but in reality they were independent. Thus, the foundation of the independent dynasties were laid in this manner.

Political awakening among the Hindu Martial classes also paved the way for the disintegration of the Mughals: Rajputs in Rajasthan, Sikhs in Punjab, Jats in Agra and Mathura.

Rise of Rajputs

Many Rajput rulers, especially one in Amber and Jodhpur had served under the Mughals with distinction. In return, they got a fair share of autonomy in their Watan Jagirs. Towards the eighteenth century, these rulers now attempted to extend their control over adjacent regions.

• Raja Ajai Singh of Jodhpur held the governorship of Gujarat and Sawai Raja Jai Singh was governor of Malwa
• Their offices were renewed by emperor Jahandar Shah in 1713
• They also tried to extend their territories by seizing portions of Watan Jagirs
• Nagaur was conquered and annexed to the house of Jodhpur and Amber seized large portions of Bundi
• Sawai Raja Jai Singh founded his capital at Jaipur and was given the subedari of Agra in 1722
• Maratha campaigns into Rajasthan from the 1740s put severe pressure on their principalities and checked their further expansion

Rise of Sikhs

The organisation of the Sikhs into a political community during the 18th century helped in regional state-building in Punjab. Guru Gobind Singh fought several battles against both the Rajput and the Mughals before and after the institution of Khalsa in 1699.

• After his death in 1708, the military and political leadership of the Sikhs came into the hands of Banda Bahadur
• They declared their sovereign rule by striking coins in the name of Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh and established their own administration between the Sutlej and the Jamuna.
• Banda Bahadur was captured in 1715 and executed the following year
• The Khalsa established their autonomy by striking coins again in the year of 1765
• The Sikh territories in the late eighteenth century expanded from the Indus to Jamuna but they were divided under different rulers
• Rakhi system was a new system introduced under the Sikh regime through which the cultivators were protected from external aggression on the payment of a tax of 20% of the produce
•  Maharaja Ranjit Singh reunited these groups and set up his capital at Lahore in 1799

Rise of Jats

Like the others, the Jats consolidated their power in the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. They expanded their territories to the west of Delhi under the leadership of Churaman.

• By the 1680s they had established control over the region between two imperial cities of Delhi and Agra
• For a period of time they were the virtual custodians of the city of Agra
• The Jats were eminent agriculturists and towns like Panipat and Ballabgarh became important trading centres under their rule
• The kingdom of Bharatpur emerged as a strong state under the leadership of Suraj Mal

Conclusion

To sum up our look at the different politics, the rise of the new states in the various parts of the country was largely attributed to the decline in the administerial strength of the later Mughals. Not only did it give them autonomy over their provinces but it also instigated them to expand their territories as much as they could and get a stronghold of their reign. There was also much tension to be seen amongst the provinces which resulted in battles there as well. Ultimately, victory was seen to be served to those who had a better planning ability and were under able leadership to guide them through a troubled space and time.