Why did rajput power decline after the death of aurangzeb?

Answer 1

The Rajputs power and fortunes were basically entwined with Mughals Empire. The Rajputs, tough brave and chivalrous were always at feud with each other , their lack of unity lead to their own downfall, starting with Prithviraj Chauhan - Jaichand feud and continuing to Rana Pratap- Mansingh.

Their internal feud were brilliantly exploited by successive invaders( some would say even exploited today by political and religious parties ).

As Humayun (and later Akbar) succeeded in wresting back Delhi for a second time from Sher Shah Suri and Hemu, some of the Rajputs decided to throw in their lot with the Mughals. This was a major political (and military) shift as perhaphs Rajputs were beginning to realize that they by themselves were not in position to create an empire and aligning with Mughals would work to their advantage rather then complete decimation. This worked out well somewhat as the Mughals (particularly Akbar, Shahjahan, Jahangir) became more tolerant of Hinduism and to an extent patronised Indian culture and religion (there were incidences contrary to this for example sack of chittor by Akbar). These Mughals also had rajput Mothers and hence were more tolerant to Himduism and Rajputs in particular. This alliance also worked well for Rajputs militarily as they got access to latest military technology (particularly firearms and cannon ) as up until then Indians were using armour and sword to battle invading armies and were losing as a consequence. Mansingh was first to establish firearm factory in Rajputana (India)with skilled technicians from Afganistan. The flip side was that Mughals used Rajputs to subdue other Rajputs such as Rana Pratap who were opposed to their rule.

This alliance worked well till Aurangzeb came to power and imposed his islamic vision on India. Aurangzeb rein was marked with constant wars and reballian of which India and Rajputs bore the burnt. The failed Mughal caimpaingn in Assam (against Ahom) was directly blamed at Rajput cheiftains inability. Escape of Shivaji from Aurangzeb was also arranged by Rajput and they had to pay further for that. Aurangzeb rein destroyed the power and regard that rajput held in reigning in any earlier attempts to for religious intolerance. It also marked the rise of Marathas and Sikhs as Rajputs did not offer resistance they had earlier in any expansionist attempts or fundamentalist views being imposed by Mughals. Aurangzeb reign of tyranny led to Mughal empire downfall and with it the downfall of Rajputs as well as they kind of lost their sway over masses in protecting the religion and culture. AUrangzeb also sacked many Rajput Kingdoms during his campaign. The rise of sikhs can be partly attributed to Rajputs failing to contain Aurangzebs tyranny and failing to fill the power vacuum left after Aurangzebs death as Mughal empire crumbled.