The Rajputs provided formidable military obstacles to Mughal aspirations in the beginning. Solid forts and military custom gave them conquest which was hard and long. New emperors were strongly resisted by states such as Mewar and Marwar which reduced Mughal conquests throughout Rajasthan and central India.
Emperor Akbar had a tactical change to alliance making. He followed a policy of diplomacy even to the extent of marrying some houses such as Amber and Jaisalmer. and this turned important Rajput clans into important firm imperial supports, supplying liege military governors and commanders of the growing empire.
But there was also fierce opposition, as in Mewar, under Maharana Pratap. Denying the submission, Pratap took part in a long-term fighting following the Battle of Haldighati. This defiance as well as subsequent rebellions proved that the Rajput submission was never pan-clan otherwise.
Rajput officers who assimilated came to be extremely crucial managers and nobles in the Mughal system. They controlled some of the most important provinces and led very large armies in imperial campaigns. These also played a big role in civil administration and it was a combination of Rajput mannerism and Mughal techniques.
This partnership turned out to be beneficial to both. Rajput alliances provided important military strength and legitimacy to Mughal rule. Rajput clans engaged in cooperation to reap greater prestige, power, and territories. The imperial structure adopted the Rajput martial spirit as part of it.
Conclusion
The Rajputs proved to be a major obstacle; they had to be fashioned by Mughals. The combination of key clans in the policy of allies adopted by Akbar helped turn them into irreplaceable institutes of military and administrative backbones of the dynasty. Although a few clans fought back with fierce resistance, this alliance was core to Mughal unification and ruling in India.
