Mughal–Rajput wars

The Mughal–Rajput wars were a series of battles between various Rajput Kingdoms and Dynasties with the Mughal Empire. The conflict originated with the invasion of India by Timurid King Babur, to which the most powerful Rajput state, Kingdom of Mewar under Rana Sanga, offered staunch resistance. The conflicts went on since 1526 for over 200 years. The conflict can broadly be divided into three phases: 1526 to 1556, which was indecisive; the second happened between 1556 and 1679, largely in Mughal favour; and third between 1679 and 1799, a period marked by Rajput dominance.

The primary reason of the war was the expansionist policy of Mughal Empire which was initially opposed. However, later supported by most Rajput kingdoms due to the destructive war led out by Rajput Emperor Rao Maldeo Rathore of Marwar against his fellow Rajputs, which left most of the Rajput Kingdoms weak and prone to attack by Islam, which was used by Mughal Emperor Akbar to ally himself with most of the Rajput Kingdoms and conquer Marwar itself after Rao's death which was also called Akbar's Rajput-Policy. However Kingdom of Mewar refused to bend the knee due to its foremost place among both Hindu and Rajput states. The situation continued till reign of Aurangzeb, whose rigorous anti-Hindu policy united Kingdom of Mewar and Marwar and later the Kingdom of Amber too. After which Rajput Kingdoms started exploiting the weak position of Mughal emperors after the death of Aurangzeb and made themselves masters of Malwa and Gujarat, which later brought them in conflict with Maratha Confederacy.